“Giving to Others”


BIBLE READING:2 Corinthians 8

The sense of this verse is the following: The Macedonians, though both poor and persecuted, greatly rejoiced that an opportunity had afforded them of doing good to their more impoverished and more persecuted brethren. We can scarcely speak of poverty and affliction in an absolute sense. Even the poor are called to relieve those who are poorer than themselves and the afflicted to comfort those who are more afflicted than they. The poor and afflicted Churches of Macedonia felt this duty and came forward to the utmost of their power to relieve their more impoverished and afflicted brethren in Judea.
When it might be supposed they were unable to give when they may actually have needed the aid of others and when it might be assumed their minds would be engrossed with their own concerns. The trial to which the apostle here refers was doubtless some persecution against them, probably by the Jews; see Acts 16:20; Acts 17:5.
Their joy arose from the hope and promise of the gospel. Despite their persecutions, their joy had abounded, and the effect of their joy was seen in liberal contributions they made. Their joy could not be repressed by persecution, and they cheerfully contributed to the aid of others.
In America we are richly blessed.  There are others around the world that could use our help.  If the Macedonians could give out of their poverty, how much more can we give out of our abundance?

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