Reading… and Thinking

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 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, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”
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Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

– 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 & 9:6-7 (NIV)

One of the major topics of 2 Corinthians is the collection for the poor brethren in Judea. Paul had talked about it when he was in Corinth earlier, and the Corinthian brethren had responded enthusiastically with generous promises. Now Paul was to be coming through Corinth again, bringing with him representatives from many other churches, bearing those churches’ own gifts. So Paul wrote ahead, to make sure the Corinthians were ready. He didn’t want to show up, and have everyone embarrassed by there being little to show for the Corinthians’ promises. He wanted them to be ready with a generous gift, which Paul would then take on to Jerusalem.

The specific circumstances are not terribly important to us now, but the principles are very important.

Principle number 1: God doesn’t take care of ensuring that everyone gets equal treatment. He couldn’t, and still give us a free will. Life isn’t fair, and circumstances vary greatly. The responsibility falls on our shoulders, to see to it that “he who gathers much does not have too much, and he who gathers little does not have too little”. It’s the same lesson you’ve heard since you were a child: you need to share.

Principle number 2: While sharing could legitimately be commanded, it is not. This is so that true generosity may shine through. Obeying a command can be grudging. What God wants is voluntary giving.

The fact that most of us in North America “gather much” does not indicate God likes us better, or that He likes others less. It’s a test. Will we share? It’s entirely up to us. But remember, if we sow sparingly, we will reap sparingly. That, truly, is very fair.