Generosity in Poverty
Today, we read 2 Corinthians 8–10. Paul begins by recognizing the generosity of the churches in Macedonia—places like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea (2 Corinthians 8:1–2). These believers faced extreme poverty, confirmed by historians such as Josephus and Tacitus, during a time of famine compounded by an earthquake around AD 49–53. Yet, this did not stop them. Much like the widow who gave her last two coins (Mark 12:42–44), they gave out of their poverty.
A Personal Encounter with Generosity
Thirty-five years ago, I traveled to Cancun, Mexico. I met some people who invited me on a trip to Belize City. It sounded adventurous, and these were attractive young ladies, so I hopped in their Jeep and headed south. We made it only to Chetumal—passport issues kept us from crossing into Belize.
Along the way, we visited several homesteads in the forests. These shelters were little more than boards and sheets propped between trees. For a bathroom, they had dug a hole with a board cutout. Their stove was a campfire, and they had beans and rice cooking. These wonderful people had nothing. We were wealthy American tourists in comparison. Yet, seeing my disability, they offered me a blanket for my legs and a plate of their food. They interpreted my attempt to decline as an insult. I felt guilty about taking from them. They found a blessing in giving. Sharing what little they had was their joy.
This image reminds me of the Macedonians. They didn’t have UNICEF or outreach programs. Paul had demanded nothing of them. Yet, they gave joyfully because their hope was in Christ—not in what little they possessed (2 Corinthians 8:3–5).
Faith When Resources Fail
Years later, when my wife and I were down to our last pennies, the utilities were being shut off. I had just started a new job, and when I saw that first paycheck, I calculated the tithe and told my wife: withholding it would do us no good. Our only hope was in Christ. So, we tithed. God blessed us beyond description. For decades, we lived in abundance because we chose the only thing worth keeping—our faith (Hebrews 11:6).
Therefore, Paul said the Macedonians excelled in faith (2 Corinthians 8:7). Trusting God when the world gives you reason to doubt is more than lip service. We determined not to look at the storm but to keep our eyes on Jesus (Matthew 14:29–31). We did “what is helpful for building others up according to their needs” (Ephesians 4:29) and trusted God to meet ours “according to His riches” (Philippians 4:19).
The Indescribable Gift
During this experience, while our water was off, people from our church brought us jugs to fill. It wasn’t just their generosity—it was their love and care that profoundly affected us. We learned the name Jehovah Jireh—God provides (Genesis 22:14). That truth compels us to offer ourselves to Him in every way.
The hardest thing in our culture is letting go of what society says is important—cash, possessions, power. When your hands are full, you can’t grasp the love of God. It took empty hands to feel His presence. We came to understand the indescribable gift God gave us in Christ (2 Corinthians 9:15). He taught us to empty ourselves so Him could fill us.
A Question for You
What are you holding on to? Do your hands long to feel Jesus, but all you can sense is the world? Fear not—when you let the world fall away, you can experience the complete glory of God’s grace.
Tomorrow, we will read 2 Corinthians 11-13.
Footnotes
- Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book XX; Tacitus, Annals, Book XII. Both describe famine and seismic activity in the region during the reign of Claudius (AD 41–54).