"Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also...to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." II Corinthians 8:7-9
The Apostle Paul was challenging the wealthy Corinthian believers to prove to the Lord that they were truly Christians by ABOUNDING IN GRACE. He was saying, IF YOU ARE TRUE RECIPIENTS OF GRACE, YOU WILL ABOUND IN DISPENSING/SHARING GRACE. He used two ensamples to illustrate this principle.
1. The Lord Jesus Christ. "though He was rich, He became poor..."The Son of God became The Son of man... He suffered, He was crucified, He bled, He died for all our sins that we might become sons and daughters of God. HE GAVE US SALVATION, FULL AND FREE, ALL BECAUSE OF GRACE!
2. The Macedonian Christians. These people were under severe trials, afflictions, persecution, and deep poverty, but they proved to the Lord, and to the world, that they were true recipients of Grace, they enjoyed their Christianity, they were gracious, they were willing to give within and beyond their means and capacity, "they were praying with much entreaty," they participated in ministry, they gave themselves to the Lord, and they submitted to the authority of their spiritual leader. They just obeyed the will of God. II Corinthians 8:1-5
Remember the principle: TRUE RECIPIENTS OF GRACE ARE GRACIOUS DISPENSERS OF GRACE. "It is more blessed to give, than to receive." Acts 20.35
