The Macedonian Lesson
God brought this universe into existence, sustains it all through the word of his power, and will eventually fold it and everything in it up like a garment, Hebrews 1:2-12.
What dependence do God’s people have on this physical world? None. We simply use it as a wonderful “habitat” if you will, until the Lord’s return.
The churches of Macedonia seemed to understand this all very well:
“Now, brethren, we wish to make know to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.” 2nd Corinthians 8:1-5
Though in a “great ordeal of affliction”, they didn’t focus on themselves, but the needs of others.
They had an “abundance of joy” even while in “deep poverty”.
Their joy “overflowed in the wealth of their liberality” as they “gave of their own accord” and even “begging with much urging to participate in supporting the saints”.
How did they do all of this while burdened with great affliction and poverty? Obviously, they “….first gave themselves to the Lord…”.
Perhaps I need to learn from these saints of old to be a little less dependent on the wealth of this passing world. I must admit that I would not jump at an opportunity to compare my liberality with theirs.
But then, why else would God preserve this record of their faith, if not for that very purpose?