2 Corinthians 8:12-14 (KJV) For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
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:
The key word here is “equality”.
Acts 2:44-45 (KJV) And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 4:32 (KJV) And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
There should be mutual love between believers, an eagerness to share when some are in need.
1 John 3:17-18 (KJV) But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Again the Lord Jesus is the greatest example of this. He shares all He has with believers. Why should not believers share all they have with Him and with one another? Since they are all one in Christ why should some of them be exceedingly rich and others be exceedingly poor? Why should some of them almost throw their money away on needless luxuries while others of them are destitute?
When the people of Israel were in the desert God arranged things so there would be equality.
Exodus 16:17-18 (KJV) And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.
God now gives good things to believers so that all might have enough – not that some might enjoy all the good (and all the expensive) things of life while others starve. But there is no command in these matters. It is a matter of love. Giving should not be forced. A man’s property is his own, and he can give it or keep as much as he likes. But if he keeps most and gives little, there will be great loss to himself and suffering to others whom he might have helped if he were more generous.
We must give with an eager, genuine heart. We must not be resentful about providing our best to those in need. We provide for others by participating in acts of service or contributing finances and bare necessities. We consider it an honor to share our blessings with our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Lord asks that we give with happy, humble hearts to demonstrate His love to the world.
2 Corinthians 8:15 (KJV) As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
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