In a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
2 Corinthians 8:2

When our sinful nature sees our own poverty and compares our lot to others who have more, we are naturally filled with resentment, jealousy, and bitterness. We start saying thing like, “I just want my fair share!” And we soon become convinced that anything - selfishness, lies, stealing, and even violence - is justifiable in order to get “what we deserve.” It’s not that poverty begets crime; it’s just that our sinful flesh has found the opportunity to express itself.

The Christians in Macedonia were few, poor, and persecuted. They trusted in God to get them safely through these hard times, and they had decided to live His way, no matter what. As a result, they were filled with joy in spite of their extreme poverty and hardship, and the joy they felt moved them to generosity. When they heard of the drought that had affected the Christians of Judea and Samaria they gathered offerings and sent them, to help.

The world, the flesh and the devil conspire to keep us from experiencing life in God’s Kingdom, living His way here on earth. Anger, resentment and bitterness are their stock in trade. When extreme poverty and hardship turn not into bitterness or resentment, but joy and generosity in our hearts, we’re seeing the Holy Spirit at work.

Lord, give me a joyful, generous heart. Amen!

Pastor Dan Giles