"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
