[Community]
.13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction,
but by way of equality -- 14 at this present time your abundance
being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a
supply for your need, that there may be equality; 15 as it is written, "He who
gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack."
2 Corinthians 8:13-14
The background of these verses is that Paul writes to the Corinthian church, encouraging them to give financially to other churches who are struggling. Paul wants to stress the idea of community and the importance of unity.
It's a give and take relationship -- a community.
Because there are always going to be times when we have a little extra. Maybe it's not always financial. Maybe it's emotion, time, wisdom, prayer. Maybe it's an ear to listen, compassion, or love. There are times we have more of these things to give. It is our responsibility, then, to look out in the body of Christ and seek out those who are coming up short. Who has needs, and in their own strength aren't able to fulfill them. It is our job as a body, as a community, to see those needs and give.
There are also times when we begin to run dry. We may wonder how we will pay the next bill. We may question if we have the patience to deal with an overbearing boss. Our hearts may be so heavy with concern, worry or pain. Maybe we've fallen into sin but decide we want out. So we ache for someone to come along who will show us compassion and forgiveness. Someone with extra patience who can take over a ministry to give our bodies a rest. Maybe we just need someone to recognize our being. To help us not feel so alone in this battle. Someone to help us remember,
we are a community
A functioning community; giving and receiving. Looking and excepting. Meeting needs and allowing our needs to be met. We can not allow our community to go on unfilled or inadequate. We can not allow our abundance to be unused and ignored.
Because that's what happens in a community. A community shares both pain and joy. A community works together to heal and has the opportunity to create an impact that can reach the world. This community functions through genuine love.
So when we seem to have extra, look and see where there is a need. Ask God to allow us to see as His eyes do (Give My Your Eyes-Brandon Heath). Don't just ignore your abundance or store it away, saving it for a rainy day that may happen. There are needs now. And when our rainy days come, trust that God will provide through the community He's given us to be a part of. Learn what to look for, how it feels, and how to reach others. As we embrace as a unified community watch what God will do, through our genuine love.
It's a give and take relationship -- a community.
LOVE
JJ
