(2 Corinthians 8:11-15 TNIV) Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little."
Paul spoke to the Corinthians about giving of themselves, for they had an abundance but the Mecedonian churches gave beyond the giving of the Corinthians, even though they had very little. For their generosity tested the Corinthians and Paul's challenge called them to meet the test.
I don’t know about the Corinthians Paul spoke to but I do know there are areas where I have plenty and sometimes I feel almost like I’m being used because of this gift or ability. That’s right giving doesn’t always involve money, we all too often excuse ourselves from giving when finances are tight, affectively shutting our eyes to what the Lord has called us to do. It is then we must look at our situation objectively and be willing to give away what the Lord has provided. What about skills or talents at which you excel and others are in need of to complete the task the Lord has laid on their hearts? Do you think God gave them that desire so they could fulfill it on their own? Remember if God calls you to do something is it not beyond your own abilities, does it not required faith, action, and recruitment of others? Then why can’t you see God’s call on others? Are you good with computers? Do you know someone who needs your help? How willing are you to help without complaint? Do you make yourself available or do you hide when they come looking? What about spiritual matters, have you felt hard-pressed as of late? Have you not felt God walk with you through this trial, has He not revealed secrets to your spirit? Then use that to help the brother you see struggling or your sister that needs encouragement, be willing for God to use you to do something big in the life of another. “Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.”
King David spoke of those who were selfish, those who did evil, those who did not give of themselves… and their responsibility to those with less and he reminds us of the Father’s love.
(Psalms 14:6 NIrV) You who do evil make it hard for poor people to do what they plan to do. But the LORD is their place of safety.
(Psalms 14:6 MSG) Do you think you can mess with the dreams of the poor? You can't, for God makes their dreams come true.
