Will You Finish? 2 Corinthians 8:10-15

I had been thinking about running a marathon for some time, but the idea of running 26 miles was overwhelming. 26 miles…that was like running across America in my mind. I thought about it, but I kept putting it off. Could I do it? Would I fail? It’s easier not to try something you aren’t sure you can do than to give it a go and see what happens isn’t it?I finally decided to give it a shot, but I knew myself too well. I knew that when the going got tough, when the training days stretched out beyond ten miles, I would likely give in and never see my commitment through to the end. I wasn’t familiar with the study at the time, but I’ve since learned that 92% of people who set New Year’s resolutions fail to achieve them.  I didn’t know about the study, but I did know me. So, I found a friend, told him I needed help if I was going to do everything that needed to be done to prepare for the race, and he said he would help me. He was a huge help! There were days when the miles were long, the weather was not good, and my attitude was even worse. I just didn’t feel like running. My buddy was there to motivate me on the days I didn’t feel like hitting the streets. Finishing the marathon was exhilarating, but there is no doubt that I wouldn’t have even made it to the starting line if it wouldn’t have been for my friend. The American Society of Training and Development found that people are 65% likely to achieve a goal after finding a friend who will commit to help them stay on track. Their chances of success increase to 95% when they schedule regular meetings with their partner. I know these stats to be true!The Apostle Paul was just the friend the Corinthians needed to help them follow through on a commitment they had made one year earlier, but had failed to finish. Let’s read our Scripture for this morning and then we will see what we can learn. Turn with me to 2 Corinthians 8:10-15 and let’s read these verses together. 

10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. 13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little." (2 Corinthians 8:10-15 NIV)

Last week we talked about the struggles being experienced by the brothers and sisters in Christ in Jerusalem because of persecution and famine so we won’t spend too much time on the subject this morning. Paul had made the commitment to help relieve some of the hardships faced by those who were trying to take care of their families by asking the churches he was working with to contribute to a fund which would be delivered to the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. We just read, in verse 10, that when the church in Corinth heard about the hardship of the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem they were “the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.” The church in Corinth was more than willing, they were enthusiastic about helping the believers in Jerusalem. Back in Paul’s first letter to the church he responded to a question they had asked him about what they should do? Paul responded to their question in 1 Corinthians 16:1-3. Read it with me.

1 Now about the collection for the Lord's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. (1 Corinthians 16:1-3 NIV)

I hope you noticed the directions Paul gave the people in Corinth. Their contribution to the relief effort for the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem wasn’t to be an emotional decision. Paul wasn’t going to show up one day, show some pictures of emaciated Jewish kids, and shake down the believers for every cent they had to their name. Paul told them to set aside a sum of money every week, in keeping with their income, and save it up for the time of Paul’s arrival. Something happened to the Corinthians' enthusiasm and commitment to give financially to the relief effort for the church in Jerusalem. Their enthusiasm at the thought of helping out had faded into procrastination. They were dragging their feet and Paul felt the need to bring up the subject once again. I wonder if there is anyone here this morning who does not know what it means to procrastinate? Like the Corinthians who started strong, Paul was convinced they were serious about their commitment, we all too often put off doing the things we said we would do. Dr. Piers Steel wrote a book in 2010 titled, “The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Things Done.” He writes that 95% of people admit to procrastinating at least some of the time. Within that group, which includes most of us, there is a subset of people, about 20% of the population, who consider procrastination to be a defining characteristic of their personalities. Dr. Timothy Pychyl is a professor and the author of “Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for Change.” He says,

We have intentions and goals and plans and ambitions, but when the time comes to do them our whole body screams, ‘I don’t want to, I don’t feel like it, I’ll feel more like it tomorrow.’ That’s the procrastinator’s song. And when we sing that song we know that it’s about our emotions. (Rebound Talks. The Science Behind Why You Procrastinate with Dr. Timothy Pychyl)

I’ve seen over and over again, throughout the years that I’ve been here at Britton Church, that we are very much like the believers in Corinth. We can get really excited about a project, a desire that we have either as individuals or as a church, but over time the enthusiasm and excitement about doing something new, something we feel passionate about, often loses its shine and appeal. I’ve not only seen this character trait in others, I’ve seen it in myself. How do we solve the problem of fading enthusiasm and avoid the pitfall of procrastination? I believe we can find the answer in our Scripture for this morning. Take a look at verse 11 with me.

11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. (2 Corinthians 8:11 NIV)

Nike says, “Just do it.” Paul says, “Now finish the work.” You and I say, “That’s easier said than done.” Our procrastination manifests itself in an unlimited number of ways, but Paul’s focus for the people of Corinth and our focus for this morning is how we steward the resources God has given to us. I’ve heard the criticism, “all churches want is our money,” since I began working in churches over 40 years ago. I can certainly understand the criticism when I take a look at the lavish lifestyles of some pastors and hear the stories I’ve heard of people misusing the funds given for ministry for selfish purposes. With the horror stories that are out there, and are undeniable, there remains a huge need for us, as the followers of Jesus, to understand how God desires for us to steward, to manage, the resources He entrusts to us. Here’s something else for us to consider as we study this section of Scripture. Oftentimes, when Bible teachers speak about stewardship they immediately bring up how materialistic our generation is and how the idol of materialism has never loomed larger over society than it does in our day. That’s simply not true. William Law died in 1761 in England. He saw the tightening grip of materialism in his day, in the 1700s, and wrote “A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life.” He wrote his book, not simply to point out the evils of materialism, but to show that God desires for us to use everything He has given us in a way that honors Him and blesses the body of Christ. It is the misuse of God’s gifts that causes the greatest problem in life and in society. In the first three chapters of his book he addressed “the great obligations, and the advantages of making a wise and religious use of our estates and fortunes.” In chapter 11, Law writes,

…all endeavors to be happy in heaps of money, or acres of land, in fine clothes, rich beds, stately equipage, and show and splendour, are only vain endeavors, ignorant attempts after impossibilities; these things being no more able to give the least degree of happiness than dust in the eyes can cure thirst, or gravel in the mouth can satisfy hunger, but like dust and gravel misapplied, will only serve to render him more unhappy by such an ignorant misuse of them. (Law, William. A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life. chap. XI, 110)

It sounds like the desire of people in William Law’s day was very similar to the desires of people in our day. They, and we, want to constantly increase our standard of living while God desires for His people in every generation to increase our standard of giving. At the beginning of verse 11 Paul said, “Now finish the work…” I am convinced there are some incredible insights found in these verses to help us use the resources God has given us in a way that honors Him and blesses those around us. First, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. This is why Paul held up the example of Jesus in verse 9, which we studied last week. Let’s read that verse one more time.

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV)

Let me tell you, all of the best attempts to convince us to part ways with our money will have absolutely no effect in comparison to simply reminding us of what our Savior has done for us and what He desires for us to do for others. The Church has so cheapened the grace of Jesus and turned stewardship into another opportunity for us to praise someone other than the One who made Himself poor for our sake so that we might become spiritually rich. Let me give you an example of what I mean by the Church cheapening Jesus’ grace and turning stewardship into an opportunity to praise people. Take a look at verses 12-13 with me.

12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. 13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. (2 Corinthians 8:12-13 NIV)

In our day the bigger the gift the more notoriety the giver will receive.  I can remember when Connie and I first arrived here at BCC. There were brass name plates attached to almost everything. They were there to give honor to the people who donated the money to pay for everything under the roof of this church–there may have even been a nameplate on the roof, but I never looked. There were stickers in the pew Bibles and hymn books with the names of the people who gave the money to buy them as well. I was shocked when I went into the restroom and there were no brass name plates over the toilets. I understand that is how society works, but that’s not how God works. Paul says “the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” As the years have gone by and we’ve needed to remodel the church we’ve gotten rid of the names of people so that we might simply stand amazed at what the Lord is doing at BCC. Second, Paul writes, “the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” There is no need to compare what we have to offer to others, but we must offer with gratitude what the Lord has entrusted to us. Paul learned this truth from Jesus. Do you remember the story about the day Jesus went to the temple and He saw the poor widow make her way to the front to drop in her offering? Jesus evidently had been watching for some time. He had seen people who had a lot to give drop in their offering before the poor widow made her way down the aisle. After she gave her offering, we read,

1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 "Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21:1-4 NIV)

It is so important for us to understand this lesson from Jesus. It is not the size of the gift that catches God’s attention, but it is the willingness to give the resources, great or small, that He has given to us. The truth is that someone who gives one million dollars might not have given as much, or with the same attitude of gratefulness and joy, as the poor widow who put the two copper coins in the offering plate. And, just because Jesus held up the poor widow who didn’t have any significant financial resources doesn’t mean that every person who doesn’t have much gives with gratitude and joy. The attitude of gratitude and joy crosses all socio-economic divides and the attitudes of selfishness and entitlement does as well. Third, we are part of the Body of Christ and our resources are not our own, they are to be used to build up the Body and help those who are in need. Paul is not suggesting that we become destitute, but that we determine to be a blessing to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Look at what Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:13-14. Paul writes,

13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, (2 Corinthians 8:13-14 NIV)

Paul’s desire is not for the Corinthians to become impoverished because they have given until they’ve put their own families at risk. He points out that right now they have more than enough while the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem don’t have enough of the basic necessities of life to live on. What Paul is sharing with the believers in Corinth reminds me of what was actually taking place in the early church, back in Acts 4. Turn there with me and let’s begin reading in verse 32. 

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement"), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:32-37 NIV)

I can remember studying this verse in a Bible study I attended one time and a guy got pretty wound up. He said it sounded like Socialism or Communism to him. Wasn’t it Karl Marx that talked about the redistribution of wealth? You would be correct, but there is one huge difference between communism’s redistribution of wealth and what happened in Jerusalem in Acts 4. A huge difference between socialism and the equality that Paul is calling for in 2 Corinthians 8. Karl Marx, who wrote The Communist Manifesto, viewed the ownership of private property as oppressive. He wanted the workers to revolt against the owners of businesses and factories and his goal was for the state to own all means of production and for all private property to make its way into the hands of the state. It was the state that would distribute the wealth in equal measure to all of the citizens. Now, that was the idea, but you and I know that’s not how it has worked out.We read in Acts 4 that some of the followers of Jesus did own land and houses and “from time to time” some of them sold some property to help others who had nothing. There was no government intervention, the followers of Jesus didn’t hand over all of their property and money. “From time to time,” when there were needs that came about, God’s people acted because they wanted to help, they felt the need to help. Nobody coerced them, guilted them, or misled them into giving. They gave because their brothers and sisters were in need and they had more than they needed. This is the lesson Paul was teaching the brothers and sisters in Corinth. Paul also reminded them that their situations could change in the future and if that happened the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem would be there for them in the same way they were providing help now. Paul’s scenario of a possible change of circumstances is not far-fetched is it? We hear of rags to riches and riches to rags stories all the time. More than doing good to others so they will do good by you if you fall on hard times, Paul is encouraging the believers in every place to recognize they are part of one family, the Body of Christ. There is no doubt that there were some in the church in Corinth who hesitated to get involved because Jerusalem was so far away and they had their own problems in Corinth. I’ve heard the modern-day version of that excuse as well. Why should I help those people over there when we have enough problems to deal with right here in America? That is why it is such a blessing for me personally to be part of this church. I don’t have to get online to read about the problems of my brothers and sisters in other countries, I can sit down and talk with someone from Mexico, Guatemala, China, Iran, Sierra Leone, Haiti, Thailand, or other countries who attend the same church I do. People who do not know Jesus can easily distance themselves from the cares of those who live in foreign lands, but for you and me–they are not foreigners, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Before we go, we have to look at verse 15, where Paul quoted from Exodus 16. Let’s read 2 Corinthians 8:15 together. 

15 as it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little." (2 Corinthians 8:15 NIV)

As I said, this is a quote from Exodus 16 where the former slaves were making their way through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. Turn with me to Exodus 16:16-20 and let’s read together.

16 This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.'" 17 And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. 18 But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. 19 Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning." 20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them. (Exodus 16:16-20 NIV)

While Moses and the Hebrews were wandering in the wilderness, God provided for their needs. Every day they would go and find manna on the ground. They were to  gather what God provided and this happened day after day. What happened? Well, each one had food to eat. Here’s the thing–they weren’t to keep any leftovers. They didn’t go out and buy freezers to save some manna in case God didn’t provide. He would provide and they were to trust Him. David Garland writes,

Unfortunately, the continuation of the story of the manna in the wilderness illustrates how humans never seem to feel that enough is enough. Sinful humans are not satisfied with their omer apiece and invariably want to squirrel away more for themselves and something saved for a rainy day. Anxiety over possessing and keeping such things throttles any generosity as we worry that we may not have enough for ourselves. (Garland, David. 2 Corinthians. pg. 385-386)

That hit me right between the eyes. I am 62 years old and I have never not had enough. No matter how much Connie and I have given we have never not had enough. Oh, there are things that we don’t have, but we have never lacked what we need. Isn’t that true for you as well? I want to finish this race that is before me. I’m not talking about another marathon, I’m talking about the race of faith. I don’t want to just get by, I want to let His light shine. I don’t want to simply worship Him on Sunday, I want to let His light shine in every area of my life each and every day that I have left. I know that’s true for you as well. Let’s finish. Mike HaysJuly 9, 2023