May 26. 2 Corinthians 8. Caleb Carter
FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED
In this chapter, Paul begins by commending the churches in Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea) for their giving. Those churches gave despite being persecuted and in extreme poverty (vs. 2), possibly because of the confiscation of their goods. Yet, the churches gave generously to the collection for those even poorer than they were. Paul mentions these churches because they started to give after the Corinthians were initially asked to collect money to be given to the church in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16:1-4).
The Macedonian churches gave and did not let their circumstances prevent them from helping those in need. The Corinthians had a zeal and a willingness to give when they were first asked. However, that zeal faded and they needed to be reminded of the commitment that they had made. Paul is urging them to show that their love is genuine and finish doing what they started
I think there are times where we need to be reminded to finish what we start, to complete what we committed to doing. For me, I can be tempted to hold back from my giving out of fear that I will not have enough resources for other things I would like to do. It is easy to justify this during the time of a pandemic. Yet, God wants me to be faithful and be committed to what I had set out to do. It is good for the church that I give, but really it is good for my heart. I need to give out of love. The Macedonian churches were under extreme poverty and persecution, but they still gave to those in greater need than them. What is my excuse? This also makes me think of our special contribution where a large portion of our giving goes to the churches in India. I do not have an excuse for avoiding giving. I am convicted thinking that there will always be someone else in greater need that will benefit from my giving.
In addition to giving, I look at my life as a disciple and I am reminded to finish what I started with my walk with Christ. I personally have had periods of my life where I lost sight of the end and gave up on my relationship with God. I lost the zeal that I had when Jesus was all that I needed. The Corinthians were being challenged to look at the churches in Macedonian and be inspired by their faith. Paul encouraged them to be reminded of their initial zeal and complete the work that they started. Sometimes, we need to remember the love that we had at first and be inspired by the faith of others.
How can the faith of others inspire you to finish what you started with your relationship with Christ?