Today’s Devotional: “An Equality of Willingness”

In his second letter to the Corinthian Church the Apostle Paul takes the time to praise their giving. He says that while their affliction and poverty were great, they had great joy because they gave liberally beyond their ability.

This type of giving is further seen when they urged Paul to accept it because they wanted the privilege of sharing in God’s grace (2 Corinthians 8:2-4).

But Paul didn’t see this as a financial offering; rather he saw it as a willingness to give of themselves.

“They first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.” (2 Corinthians 8:5)

We see this same sacrificial giving in what he said to the church in Rome.

“I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Paul then talks about the willingness to give of oneself as an equality needed in the church.

“For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack – that there may be equality. As it is written, ‘He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.’” (2 Corinthians 8:13-15)

There needs to be a willingness to give by everyone so one doesn’t coast along at another’s expense. It’s a matter of fairness as pointed out in the book of Exodus.

“When they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need.” (Exodus 16:18)

No matter how much each gathered they all had a sufficient amount.

When God’s people willingly sacrifice themselves using their gifts, talents, and resources, then there will be equality and God will be glorified.