And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Corinthians 8:1
“Calvin indicates that Paul ascribes to God’s gratia [grace] the Macedonians’ involvement in the collection (8:1) in order to cause emulation among the Corinthians. He explains that although everyone admits that helping the needy is a commendable virtue, not everyone sees it as a gain or divine grace. On the contrary, people are inclined to think that what they give is lost.
But for Paul, says Calvin, assisting the poor has to be acknowledged as a special privilege. He goes on to explain that the Macedonians received a twofold gratia. It consisted in a joyful endurance which they displayed in afflictions and in the act of giving a part of their slender resources to the needy believers. He concludes that we are expected to show liberality even in extreme poverty.”
Viateur Habarurema and John Calvin in Christian Generosity according to 2 Corinthians 8-9: It’s Exegesis, Reception, and Interpretation Today in Dialogue with the Prosperity Gospel in Sub-Saharan Africa (Carlisle, UK: Langham Monographs, 2017) 204.
Habarurema lectures full-time at Protestant University of Rwanda and pastors part-time. In this work, he explores 2 Corinthians 8-9 through church history. Yesterday Aquinas shined light on fear as a leading hindrance to generosity.
Today John Calvin (1509-1564) reveals that backwards thinking is yet another obstacle to Christian generosity. When we think what we give is ‘lost’, it will discourage our growth in this grace and the opportunity for divine blessing.
Instead, when we see giving as a ‘special privilege’ to experience grace upon grace, we discover joy-filled stamina in suffering and divine provision even in cases of poverty. God takes care of us when we demonstrate our dependence on Him!
The Macedonians’ actions showed where they placed their trust. Their deeds revealed that they believed that money given was not lost. They were eager to participate in Christian caring and sharing. Their example leaves each of us to ponder two questions.
Do my actions reveal that I think that money given is lost or that opportunities for Christian sharing are special privileges? Or to put it directly, would the Apostle Paul cite me as an example for others to emulate?