2 CORINTHIANS 8
8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter, I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” – 2 Corinthians 8:8-15
2 CORINTHIANS 8 THE PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Though Christ was God and was rich, he gave it up to become poor
It is to sample a life of simplicity that focuses on depending on God
When we are blessed with an abundance, God expects us be impartial
It is not for us to hoard and keep things as our own possessions
The principle of fairness lies in loving God and blessings our neighbors
It considers others to be as important as God loves us as well.
James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James, the half brother of Jesus points us to the principle of fairness which is truly anchored on knowing that everything good we have comes from our heavenly Father. The focus is on the giver, not the gift. As humans, we get wrapped up on the gift that we received and forget the source of such blessings. When we focus on the gift, we fail to see the generosity and loving kindness of God. We start comparing the gifts we received with others’ gifts. We get into the envy trap as soon as we compare and we become discontented. Paul reminds the Corinthian believers of the principle of fairness anchored on God’s generosity.
REFLECTION
- Why is it so easy to forget the giver and focus on the gifts we received?
