2 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 8
Paul’s Tactful Appeal and Recommendation. 2 Cor. 8, 1–24.
The principle of equality: V.13. For I mean not that other men be eased and ye burdened; v.14. but by an equality, that now, at this time, your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want; that there may be equality, v.15. as it is written, he that had gathered much had nothing over, and he that had gathered little had no lack.
This idea is now further illustrated: For it is not that there may be a relief to others and pressure to you, but to obtain equality, your plentiful supply at the present time being for their want, in order that their plentiful supply may prove to be for your want, that there may be equality.
This sentence is added principally for the sake of the unwilling, grumbling contributor, whose complaint usually is that he is becoming poor in giving for others, whom he presumes to be rolling in wealth on account of his contributions. Paul's purpose was not at all to have the congregation at Jerusalem sit back in carelessness and enjoy the gifts which poured in from the congregations in Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia, while the latter should be oppressed with care as a result of giving beyond their means. He was simply advocating the principle of equality, of reciprocity.
As things were, the congregations that were engaged in this collection were able to provide help for the poor at Jerusalem, and therefore they should be willing to offer such assistance; the time might come when matters would be reversed, and then he would expect the Christians of Jerusalem and Judea to make a return in kind. The same principle is followed to this day. If a failure of crops strikes certain congregations, or if they are visited by destructive storms and find themselves unable either to sustain life or to rebuild their church property by their own efforts, it is proper that the other congregations should come to their assistance.
Paul illustrates this principle by a quotation from the Scriptural account of the collection of the manna in the wilderness: As it is written, He [that gathered] much had nothing over, and he [that gathered] little was not wanting, Ex. 16, 18. When the Lord gave the children of Israel manna to eat in the wilderness, the more energetic gathered a larger supply, while others were not able to bring so much back to camp. And yet the needs of the individual families differed with their size.
But the difference was straightened out upon their return to camp, with the result that every family had enough manna for its needs till the next day.
Just so within the congregations the Lord wants the surplus of the one to assist the lack in the other, and whenever there is need in any one section of the country, or wherever the work of the gospel is being carried on, the congregations in the other sections should show their willingness to heed the principle here laid down for their guidance.