2 Corinthians 8

What an appropriate passage for this week! If you read the chapters leading up to this chapter, Paul is making the case that we are to live in a different economy than the rest of the world. Our economy recognizes that our being poured out now - Paul's affliction, anguish, death, and being perplexed, persecuted, struck down, delivered over to death, beaten, imprisoned, punished, dishonored, losing possessions (light, momentary affliction!) - makes complete sense in light of the prize. Our prize as believers is the growth in faith of those whom we are reaching. The reason it makes sense is that our light, momentary affliction is producing an eternal weight of glory, far beyond all comparison. What we give up for the sake of His kingdom now, however big or however small, yields much more in eternity. God is able to multiply it. In Malachi 3, the Lord of Hosts says, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows." This promise is not a guarantee of present blessing, but it is a guarantee of future value. It reveals that what we do now directly impacts eternity - in the lives of men and women and in our own lives - and it gives God a platform to demonstrate His faithfulness to His children. Does anyone still think this way? Read this article for a modern day example: "Christians go, they suffer, some die, & that’s part of the call.” -son of Ebola patient Nancy Writebol: bit.ly/1txI0dn

The Corinthians stepped out in faith on this truth and as a result were willing to give generously - beyond their means - to feed their brothers and sisters who were going without. What a heart! In the NASB, it says they "begged with much urging" to be able to give. They were in tune with God's heart for His children who were going without, and so they gave themselves to God and then gave of their possessions to lift up their brothers. Just like Jesus who became poor and even "became sin" to save His brothers and sisters, these believers were willing to sacrifice to serve their brothers in need.

Paul points out that the basis for being able to do this is in the confidence that when one of us has a need, another can help and then later the help can go the other way. How deep are the relationships when we are both able to give and receive from one another. How humbling is it to be on the receiving end of grace, but how awesome that God sweetens relationships when we allow the grace to flow both ways.

What is also interesting is the sequence here. First, they desired to give; then they were enabled. Their giving began with pure hearts giving themselves to God and then wanting to help others. That's how God works in us. First, He wants our heart - our desires - and then He can work through our abilities to bring about His good purposes. We can bring our abilities, but He will not stop there - He wants our heart desires to be aligned with His. Warning - if you come to Him by faith willing to obey, He will change you! Paul is concerned that they would stop with just a surface desire (good intentions), so he encourages them that their good start was sufficient to warrant carrying it to completion. How often do I get turned aside from serving or helping in a way God has prompted me? Paul says to be faithful to "complete the pledge" of grace. In this way, the other believers in those other churches would see a living example of the sincerity of love - actions that match the words.

Lord, help us to have hearts like these Corinthians, who desired to serve others so much that they begged to be able give and to be extravagant in their giving (even beyond their means). Give us a heart for people who are hurting and dying and lost and need the Answer that we have. Give us feet to go across the threshold of our neighbor's home and bring the grace of our God into their homes and their lives. Give us eyes to see the needs all around us and hearts to respond. Give us a heart like Yours. Amen.

TOM ALBERS | Elder Chairman

Tom committed his life to Christ as a junior in high school in 1975. After moving to Austin in 1995, Tom and Cindy attended Hill Country Bible Church in Cedar Park before becoming part of the HCBC Pflugerville and Hutto Bible church plants. Tom serves as a Small Group Leader and in Youth ministry and in other ministry oversight roles. Tom and Cindy were married in 1986 and are parents to Will, Emily, Clare, Hannah and Nathan and grandparents to Owen.