Being and Becoming God’s Own

Years ago, we were having a conversation with an unbeliever about church. It the middle of it all, he asked, “WHY are all of you in such a great competition to be better than the other?” Ouch. That hurt a little bit. He went on to tell what he hears and sees from church people that makes him wonder why we are like we are. Why do you compete for people? “I don’t think Jesus did that.”, he stated. Why do you look down on smaller congregations while promoting larger churches. You advertise your programs but I’m missing the point of why you exist. Ouch, again. Are we still like that?

Paul speaks to the Corinthians about helping out other churches by giving the example of the Macedonians’ fervor in helping. It’s NOT a competition. We are all in this together. What are we showing the world today by our behavior as believers? Do we give from a heart motivated to love or to achieve greatness?

2 Corinthians 8, The Message
The Offering
8 1-4 Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could afford!—pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians.

5-7 This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That’s what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too.

8-9 I’m not trying to order you around against your will. But by bringing in the Macedonians’ enthusiasm as a stimulus to your love, I am hoping to bring the best out of you. You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us—in one stroke he became poor and we became rich.

10-20 So here’s what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands. This isn’t so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you’re shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even. As it is written,

Nothing left over to the one with the most,
Nothing lacking to the one with the least.

What do we learn?
–Churches are NOT in competition with each other, we are on the front lines fighting the same battles. Sometimes we need to lead aid to those who need it now. They, in turn, will help us when we need it.
–Shoulder to shoulder, in battle, we are in this together!
–Our enemy is satan, not each other!
–Jesus gave his all for us. We give our all to Him and then to others in need.
–Our offerings are as much a part of our worship to God as anything else we might have to give.
–Look more carefully to see how we can give what others need and what they might have that we need. Mm.
–ALL our church name tags and treasures of church life are left behind when God calls us home. It all comes out even in the end.

Wow…a lot to consider in this passage. Meditate. Evaluate.

Dear Heavenly Father, Wow. In being and becoming more like You, you convict us to repent once again of our human thoughts and allow your thoughts to cleanse us. Renew a right spirit in your church. Grow us up from the inside out, with hearts ready to give where needed. Thank you, Lord for teaching us and transforming us to be all you intended for us to be and do.
In Jesus Name, Amen

And I’m singing…”Give of your best to the Master…”