I can remember
being in a history lesson as a young teenager and being taught about
Communism. I can remember thinking that there were some incredibly good
ideas behind it. I loved the idea of equality, no class, no hierarchy,
and a greater sense of community in society. I then remember realising
the sad fact that it was Sin that had messed up communism throughout history,
and not allowed good to prevail. I sat there as a young person, thinking
there must be some way that we could make the good ideas of communism a
reality? Maybe I was being naive, but I think chapter 8 shows us that a
community where no one goes without can be a reality.
The Christians described in this passage were being encouraged to v.7 “excel in this grace of giving” and they were already doing pretty well! They were starting to see glimpses of a community which doesn’t go without. V.14, “At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality.” But why should they or we be generous givers? Some answers are found in this passage. God has been a generous giver to us and we should then in turn imitate God out of love and thanks for what he has done for us. Verse 9 really highlights how generous God has been to us. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” God wants us to be willing, generous givers in a loving, worshipful response to him, and because we want to partner with him in showing his love to others.
What do our bank statements show about our love and worship of God?
(lay member of staff)