I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. 2 Corinthians 8:13-15
“Paul clearly says that the purpose of the offering is to promote equality. At present, the Corinthians enjoy relative abundance, at least of material wealth. It is clear from 1 Corinthians 1:26 that the church in Corinth did not include the aristocracy of that city, Still, in comparison with those in Jerusalem, they lived in abundance. It is the contrast between the need in Jerusalem and the abundance in Corinth that must be overcome by the offering. The Corinthians are to give because those in Jerusalem are in need. Thus, as is in the case of the original commonality of goods in Acts 2 and 4, what controls the giving is the need of the poor. In this context, and to strengthen his argument, Paul cites the miracle of the redistribution of manna.”
Justo L. González in Faith & Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2002) 85-85.
Whenever I teach on generosity, I love to talk about manna.
There’s more than enough to fund the work of ministry worldwide but not everyone has enough because money is sitting in bank accounts rather than being put into play.
Ironically, those who don’t share their manna (provision from God) miss out on blessing.
In encouraging sharing, the Apostle Paul references the manna scene: the ones who gathered much did not have to much and the ones who had to little did not have to little.
It’s ironic but we learn things like sharing in kindergarten. Then, as we age, we forget.
The older we get the more we become more foolish and worldly. We store up treasures on earth thinking we know better than Jesus. It’s the American thing to do.
While our meetings are going fantastic in Panama, I don’t want you to miss this message.
The reason for sharing is that God cares about everyone. And he wants those who have been blessed to serve as conduits of blessing to others, not containers.
Which are you? Picture the Panama Canal. Unless gathers and drains water, it cannot allow ships to pass. The same is true for us.
Unless we gather and drain, we don’t use God’s resources according to His design.
Think of all you have as manna. It will spoil if hoarded, so enjoy and share it. It’s no good stored up, and you certainly don’t want to meet Jesus having held on to it.
What will you do with the manna you possess?