2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
The Macedonian churches were going through an extreme trial. Everything in their world was falling apart. Unemployment was skyrocketing. Persecution abounding. And yet in the middle of all that, they were giving sacrificially. During the Great Depression poverty and unemployment were rampant. And yet in the middle of all that need there was tremendous generosity. Those who had some shared what they had with others. Individuals gave out of their small resources. There were not big government programs taking care of the needs. Churches became centers for helping. People who had need came and gave of their time and energies and in return they got food, clothing and even shelter. People didn’t want a handout. They had enough self-respect to want to work for their food. The Macedonians were just such a people. They gave even when they didn’t have enough for themselves. They took their own food and gave it away. I have heard of a few instances of this in my lifetime. That says a lot. Either it isn’t happening that much (my suspicion) or they are doing it in such a way that attention is not given to it. When was the last time you gave even when you didn’t have extra just laying around? Have you ever given this way? I know I have not given this way nearly enough. I am guilty! Notice that their giving came out of overflowing joy. Maybe that is what is missing in our giving. Maybe we are not basking in the joy of the Lord. Maybe we are so focused on our own need that we miss out of the Lord’s provision and abundance. May we spend more time focusing on the Lord and the joy He wants to bring into our lives, and less time focusing on our need.
The Arnold Journey 