Prophecy

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Giving in Adversity
II Corinthians 8:1-6; Philippians 4:14-19

Some will stress that it is scriptural to give out of poverty, as well as prosperity. That is true, but only if you do it because you’re rich in faith, not because you fear I’ll punish you for not doing so. A person who knows he is rich in faith depends upon Me to meet his need, not the pittance he possesses. If I, not some fly-by night charlatan, tell you to make a gift to a certain ministry, you will gladly do it if your heart is full of faith and you know you possess great riches in My Kingdom.

Even Scripture can be quoted with the wrong motive. Satan himself did that. Desperate preachers, sensing their disgruntled listeners are no better off financially and were getting wise to their game, have reminded them that the Macedonian Christians gave even out of their deep poverty. These dear ones shared with Me out of their very limited means, although so many of them were near-destitute at the time Paul collected their donation.

Paul was not in the habit of dunning poor people for money. Tears sprang to his eyes as he considered how sacrificially these dear saints gave. They absolutely insisted he take the money, wretchedly poor though they were. They wanted to share in the ministry of liberal giving, and would listen to none of his mild objections.

Those Macedonian saints were knit together in love with their brethren who were enduring a great famine in Judea. They, who knew privation, wanted to do what they could to send relief to people they had never even met. Thus they willingly gave out of their need, expecting Me to meet their own need.

It never occurred to Paul to buy a Cadillac with that money.

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