Achieving equity is a hot topic politically. What does the Bible say about wealth redistribution?
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2 Corinthians 8 Summary
As Paul was traveling through the Roman empire preaching the gospel he was establishing churches in all sorts of different cities. The new churches, like the church being written to here in Corinth, were geographically spread out, but yet these many churches were part of one unified catholic (universal) church.
During this time, Jerusalem was experiencing a period of intense famine, so as he traveled, Paul was taking up a collection for the Jerusalem church.
It seems like it is so often the case where the neediest people are at the same time the most generous. Paul points the Corinthian church to the example of the Macedonians, who not only gave as much as they were able, but then gave beyond their ability (v3). They had this generous attitude because they understood that giving was a privilege and not an obligation (v4).
How do you experience giving? When you write a check, drop money in an offering bag, or make a donation, or nowadays click the online giving link, what emotion do you feel? If you're not experiencing peace as you do so, what's getting in the way of that?
Dig Deeper
As a matter of fairness, your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness (v13-14).
The concept of fairness is a hot topic in many contemporary political circles. But what the Bible is teaching here is far different than the government heavy plans many politicians gush over in which wealth is taken from the rich and then distributed to the poor in such a way that the poor always remain beholden to the government.
What the Bible has in mind here is a worldwide community of Christians whose primary goal is becoming rich in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (v9). When this is the case, worldly wealth & resources are simply a means to that end, and can easily be shared with those who are in need.
AAA Prayer:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God is the giver of all wealth and ability, but also the giver of grace that we must model.
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will excel at sharing the grace God has given you (v7).
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
