“Ease. Burden.”
“Ease. Burden.”
Blessings folk!
How is the Body of Christ to function together?
How do we “give”?
What is to be “given”?
Who determines?
Who decides?
What is correct?
What is incorrect?
A couple of things.
For the most part, set aside “what you think”.
Set aside “what I have always been taught”.
Then, search the Word of God.
If “what you thought/taught” aligns with the Word - wonderful!
If not, make the adjustments.
Do as the Word says.
Now, read the next portion of the Scripture.
Be forewarned, some will be offended.
Some will attempt to super-impose a man-made political agenda upon the Word.
Do not do that.
Simply let the Word speak.
2 Co 8:12-15
For if the readiness is there,
it is acceptable according to what a person has,
not according to what he does not have.
For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened,
but that as a matter of fairness
your abundance at the present time should supply their need,
so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
As it is written,
“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over,
and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
We have seen that we are to give according to what we have, not what we do not have.
If you do not have money, then you can not give money.
If you do not have wisdom, then do not attempt to give wisdom.
Etc.
Did you see how the Spirit addressed an issue that is often presented?
Ease.
Burden.
The Lord does not want us to give as a burden, especially to provide ease for others.
The Lord wants us to meet “need”, not “greed”.
Did you see how this works?
If you have abundance at this present time, then supply the need of those in need.
What is abundance?
We will see more later, but for now, if you have two shirts and someone needs a shirt…you give the extra shirt.
Likewise, someone will provide for you in your time of need.
Why?
That there may be fairness.
“Fairness”…now there is word that has been distorted and misappropriated.
Did you note the “as it is written…”?
Sound familiar?
Wait until you see…