There is an example in the scriptures which is so telling about the hearts of individuals. Jesus is teaching in the temple and He asks, "How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?" We see the explanation offered on the day of Pentecost when Peter (standing with the eleven) preached repentance and water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus. But herein, this same Jesus -- who is both Lord and Christ is standing before them. (Acts 2:36-41)
Continuing, Jesus tells them, "For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, "The Lord said to My Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." David therefore himself calls Him Lord; and whence is He then His Son?" Herein, we see that the common people heard Him gladly." (Mark 12:35-37)
Indeed, throughout the scriptures, there are numerous references that attest to the common people hearing His Word gladly. But note that Jesus also said unto them in His doctrine, "Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: which devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation."
And having said this, Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, "Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." (Mark 12:35-44)
You see, those who were rich gave only from their abundance but the poor widow lady that the Lord Jesus observed gave all that she had -- her giving from her heart.
Apostle Paul offers a similar example when writing to those who believed in Corinth. Paul writes, "Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, BUT FIRST GAVE THEIR OWN SELVES TO THE LORD, AND UNTO US BY THE WILL OF GOD." (II Corinthians 8:2-5)
If we break down this example, what do we understand? That we are instructed "to wit of the grace of God" -- yes, and in all things. In this context, we are not to put our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ on the shelf when performing worldly endeavours, but rather, that we worship the Lord Jesus in everything we do -- in both word and deed. Thus, as we see here, we are to worship our blessed Saviour during times of great trials of affliction.
For many, this is the testing ground, and in the poor widow's example, when she should have been unable to give, she instead gave her all. Thus, Paul too, is saying that in a great trial of affliction (when the assumption would be that they/we are unable to give, and that these [us] would need the help of others to continue, or conversely, concerned with where their [our] next dollar is going to come from) the apostles are repeatedly excited and full of joy.
More specifically, when these should have been downtrodden and self-absorbed, "the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality." (II Corinthians 8:2-3) Again, there are numerous examples.
"...and brought them to the magistrates, saying, "These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans." And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks." (Acts 16:20-24)
[But] at midnight, what happens? " Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed." (Acts 16:20-26)
Just in case, one thinks this is an isolated example, let's look at what happened in Acts 17: "Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, "that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ." And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another King, One Jesus."
And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea ..." (Acts 17:1-10)
You see, even in affliction wherein these found themselves in jail, these never stopped turning the world upside down with the teaching that this same Jesus whom they preached unto the people is Christ. But the lesson does not stop here, because these who believed had an abundance of joy that was grounded in the hopes and promises of the gospel. And thus, when these should have felt downtrodden, the joy of the Lord in their hearts abounded -- "how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality."
In spite of the numerous trials and tribulations that believers faced at every turn, what we today should see is the abundance of these believers' joy abounding, and in fact, so much so, that their joy in their hearts -- the joy of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus in their hearts -- the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost could not be repressed by persecution. Nor could their deep poverty sway their desire to contribute liberally to the needs of others so that none who were within would be without. (Acts 2:36-47)
"... their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality." (II Corinthians 8:3)
What we are witnessing then is the giving liberally of themselves, and as an example to us in this day to stand in the offering plate. Not only with our abundance but in whatever measure we can give to others. Before some begin to think these examples are only about money, please read Acts 2:1-47 because flowing through to others so that none are without is so much. more than the earthly coins of this world.
One more example to meditate upon and similarly for your edification?
Apostle Paul writes, "Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causes THROUGH US thanksgiving to God.
For the administration of this service not only supplies the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; and by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." (II Corinthians 9:10-15)
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. Paul says he speaks not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. (II Corinthians 8:1-24)
Stand in the offering plate.
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