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By an equalizing1 at the present time, [I want that] your surplus might offset their deficiency,2 so that also their surplus might come to offset your deficiency,3 thus an equality might exist.4
| 1 | An equalizing: Paul will argue for a common economic equality just as the Church began. [Acts 2-6] The word “equalization” is now used of taxes in some areas. |
| 2 | Your surplus might offset their deficiency: Or, TCN: what you can spare may supply their need. In the Church there will always be the poor and the rich. It is the obligation of the rich to share with the poor so that some kind of equalization may occur. Also, one day the rich man is so, but the next poor; while one day a poor man becomes very rich. One cannot predict the turn of Life’s wheel. |
| 3 | Their surplus might come to offset your deficiency: It is also true that often the poorest are the most spiritual, and so the spirituality of the poor might offset the material-mindedness of the rich. Jesus and Paul are examples of extreme poverty combined with extreme spirituality, thus making even the rich wealthy spiritually. An example is Zacchaeus. |
| 4 | An equality might exist: The premier economic principle within the Church, seldom practiced and seldom attained. This example of community sharing was the original example as seen in Acts 2-6. All small tribal groups are communistic in nature: what one member of the community possesses belongs to the whole. An animal killed for food belongs to all equally. This works as long as the community is small, but degrades with the size of the group and their growing selfish greed. Ideally, the Nazarene Community of Friends of the Nazarene ought to be economically communistic [a word taken from the Greek for “sharing.”] |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose 2 Corinthians 8:14 as the theme of the chapter – Congregational Equalization. [Or, “Economic Equality.”] Paul writes about how the congregations have abounded in the matter of charitable giving to those in “deep poverty.” [1-7] This matter of charitable giving will prove a test of the love of the Corinthian congregation. [8, 9] He points to Christ as the prime example of someone who was rich but became poor.
Paul gives his “opinion” that in the Christian Church there should be “an equalizing.” [10-15] The rich are defined as those who have a “surplus” after the necessities of life are covered. [Luke 21:1-4] This surplus is most often used by the rich on leisure and luxury. So they always have money for such, but become paupers in the matter of charity. The early Church was something of a volunteer communism in which all shared with others. [Acts 2-6] Paul uses the example of how God provided manna from heaven so that “the person with much did not have more than enough, and the person with little did not have too little.” [Exodus 16:18] He uses this to illustrate how things ought to be in the Church. Of course, sadly one can see that the modern Church is far removed from the first century pattern.
So there was a serious need of liberal contributions to poor and needy Christians elsewhere. [16-21] For this purpose Paul will send “apostles” to collect what the Corinthians had previously promised. [22-24] Thus, before all they can prove their love. Anyone who has read the Sayings of the Nazarene Master is aware what Christ taught about charity and giving. Indeed, in the parable of the sheep and goats, the Christian goats are exterminated for failure to come to the aid of even the most humble member of the Church. [Matthew 25:31-46]
It has always been a matter of conscience regarding how much a Christian should give to help others. In his book Mere Christianity the Bible scholar and writer C. S. Lewis argued that if one’s charity did not at least equal what was spent on luxury and leisure it was not enough. The next time a Christian thinks of a luxury cruise they will do well to consider if they have given an equal amount to their needy brothers and sisters. Of course, all this is a matter of conscience that Christ will judge in that Day.
May Heaven bless those who share their surplus.
[19 June 2002]
The church is a band of loving brethren. Where one lacks others should supply, that all may be equally provided.
