The Third Sunday After Pentecost, June 29, 2003 (Proper 8B)
Deut. 15:7-11; Psalm 112; 2 Cor. 8:1-9, 13-15; Mark 5:22-24; 35b-43
If one wishes truly to learn about Christian financial stewardship, one can hardly do better than consider the standard set by the Macedonian Christians in the first generation of the church. Paul uses them as a shining, even faultless, example for the Christians in Corinth. Many American Christians in this era have much in common with the Corinthian Christians: affluence, sophistication, good education, confidence. These attributes are by no means inherently inconsistent with Christian profession, though smugness and even arrogance are not far from them. By contrast, the Macedonians, in the words of scripture, had experienced “a severe ordeal of affliction” and were noted for “extreme poverty.” Many of them were laborers.
By worldly measure, most Corinthians would look down upon the Macedonians. Yet, in the matter of Christian financial giving, it is the latter whom Paul holds up for the Corinthian believers to imitate. Almost certainly, those in Corinth could afford to give impressively more than their Macedonian fellows, denarius for denarius, but this is not the point.
For Christians, it never is. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to imitate the Macedonian believers, not because they gave lots of money, but because of the latter’s “joy under affliction” (verse 2); volunteering (verse 3) to give generously without Paul’s exhortation; giving “according to their means, and even beyond” (verse 3); and “genuineness of love” (verse 8). Perhaps most importantly of all, the Macedonians, before they gave of their substance, “gave themselves first to the Lord” and then, “by the will of God, to” Paul and his companions (verse 5).
In short, the Macedonians were deeply dedicated to Jesus and the converted life. From this comes not only true Christian financial giving, but true Christian joy.
Look It Up
In 2 Corinthians 8:2, find out what it was that led to the Macedonian Christians’ “wealth of generosity.”
Think About It
In the Old Testament lesson, regarding giving to the needy, Moses says, “I command you.” On the same topic, in the epistle, Paul says, “I do not say this as a command.” Reflect on the difference.
Next Sunday
The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost, July 6, 2003 (Proper 9B)
Ezek. 2:1-7; Psalm 123; 2 Cor. 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-6
