Selfless love is the expression of grace. Paul here is talking about the collection for the poor and oppressed Christians in Jerusalem. It may seem like this is off topic from the previous discussion of grace, forgiveness and discipline, but in fact these both flow from grace.
He begins with the example of the Macedonian churches, who suffered greatly for Christ, but who also gave generously to Christians they had never met. They were in the midst of an economic downturn driven by Roman exploitation, and yet that did not dampen their enthusiasm for giving.
It evokes the story of the rich young ruler, who followed all the commandments, but was deeply attached to his possessions rather than Christ. The Macedonian churches, though, were attached to Christ.
Note also that Paul never tells the Corinthians how much to give. The Macedonians gave beyond their ability, but what Paul wants the Corinthians to imitate is not the amount or the proportion but rather their eagerness in giving. They did not see it as a financial obligation but rather as a ministry opportunity. It takes so much grace to be a Christian.
At this point, you have to imagine that the Corinthians were throwing up their hands and saying “fine, Paul, I give up – I suck, they don’t. Just tell me how much to give and I’ll do it.”
But Paul specifically disclaims that, refuses to command them or name a sum, and instead says that he wants to test their earnestness and selflessness. Then he goes on to cite the greatest example of selfless love of all, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Imitating this act of sacrifice is not the ideal, but rather it is the job description. It takes so much grace to be a Christian.
American believers focus too much on “how much should I give, and how much should I keep?” We are so attached to our possessions. But Paul is not looking for the Corinthians to feel guilty about how much they are not giving. We should not feel guilty for what we do not have to give.
Paul is not trying to institute some sort of biblical socialism, because the giving is specifically not mandated, not commanded. He is calling the Corinthians to selfless love, not to a specific amount of money or percentage of income. It is not a rule, because the crucified body of Christ mocks our ability to follow rules. Plan wants the Corinthians to be so overflowing in joy that the giving flows outward in enthusiastic generosity. Selfless love is Gospel-oriented.
We don’t come to God to get stuff. We come to God to get God. The grace of God is both our goal and our enablement. Selfless love is a symptom of satisfaction of the soul in God. As John Piper writes, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
The problem for us that we often give sporadically, either out of whimsy or need-based reaction. We are not wired for selfless giving. We are wired to look out for ourselves and for our immediate family. We are not naturally joyful when we give away resources.
We cannot create that feeling within ourselves. No amount of giving or religious action can create it. It is a work of grace. It takes so much grace to be a Christian.
– Sermon Notes, Brian Bailey, Seed Church, Lynnwood, WA, April 29, 2018
2 Corinthians 8:1-15
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