“Generous Macedonians”

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

”Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.”  (2 Corinthians 8:1-2)

Due to an urgent benevolent need in Jerusalem, the churches were called upon to send relief to these destitute saints. In the verses above Paul seeks to motivate love in the Corinthians by pointing to the amazing generosity of the Macedonian Christians. 

Before considering the aspects of their generosity, please note at least two matters that could have hindered their benevolent spirit.  A heavy affliction was imposed on the Macedonian churches, chiefly through the jealousy of the Jews, who excited the hatred of the Gentiles. In addition to this persecution, the Macedonians were poor. The Holy Spirit tells us they were in deep poverty. These two factors mark the amazing spirit of these Macedonian Christians. 

Though afflicted and poor, they gave liberally. Their problem was not that they might give too little, but that they might give too much. Their affliction and poverty could not cramp their large hearts. The Macedonians were not pressed into giving by outward appeals. Their only pressure was a love from within. They gave voluntarily. They longed to help, and insisted on having a share in this good work. And by this grace, they reaped the rewards of the joy of giving.

The text also tells us these Christians had given themselves to the Lord. (Vs. 5).  This relationship with God was due to his grace that was given to them. Their sins were forgiven. The wrath of God had been replaced with everlasting favor. Guilt was gone. Hope was in their hearts.These thoughts had led to their spirit of generosity.

These thoughts led to an abundance of joy that became a fountain of love for other saints. Paul called it a love that was genuine. (Vs.8) It was a God exalting love that first found joy solely in a relationship with God, and led to meeting the needs of others.   

It has been said that true happiness requires love for people. Which is true to some extent. However, disciples must not seek to love in order to be happy, but seek to be happy in God in order to love.  There is a difference between the two.  The one who gives cheerfully is the one who is so full of joy in God that it overflows in their service to others.

Let us learn to have the spirit of the Macedonians. But it is more important for us to emulate the spirit of our Savior.  “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”  (2 Corinthians 8:9)

By George Slover

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