July 2, 2006

Redistribution of Resources

by Rev. Dr. Jim Carlson

1 Corinthians 8:7-15

Emma catching fish at four times my rate. Spurred me on to try and catch more.

Many ways to spur people to action. Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to spur church to collect offering.

Paul used example of others. Macedonian church – gave despite poverty. Example of Christ – became poor so that Corinthians could become rich.

What do we know about this offering?

What was it? (slide) 1 Cor. 16:1-4 – To be collected over time, as Corinthians prosper. To be taken to Jerusalem by appointed representatives.

Galatians 2:10 – Only requirement under agreement with Jerusalem church: remember the poor.

Why did he want to collect it? (slide)

Romans 15:28 – to gain support from Jerusalem church for mission to Spain. Churches can exchange riches (Romans 15:26-27)

2 Corinthians 8:14 – Equality. Use of Manna image in Exodus 16.

Three aspects of this offering policy that teach us something about the Christian faith.

First: Mind of Christ causes people to see themselves primarily as receivers, regardless of what they give. Concept of “Taxpayer”. Aren’t the people they oppose also taxpayers?

Same issue of self identity applies to Christian faith. Mission giving is unfortunate term: people receive as much or more when they are in mission. Seminary in Brookfield.

Second: Giving to needy should not create poverty in givers. Idea of prospering in 1 Cor. 16.

Third: Equality – among Christians. High level of fellowship and unity. Large disparities in lifestyle are inappropriate. Interdependent response to disasters.

Example of Manna. No one could hoard and no one went without. Characterized as communism in the minds of some. Paul called it “equality” and expected his churches to work towards it.

Should any Christians be rich? Must we all give until our lifestyle equals that of third world Christians?


Paul cannot answer all our questions about giving and offerings and our relationship to poorer Christians. He can offer us a perspective on how to view our relationship to other Christians, and how we understand the idea of both giving and receiving.

In the end, Paul is helping us understand from a Christian perspective what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. It calls our traditional ideas of giving and receiving into questions.

For those of us who are fortunate enough to enjoy a higher standard of living than many others in the world, it is a challenge to stand with the less fortunate, knowing that our relationship will return many more riches to us than we could possibly ever donate.

Paul asks us to also keep the example of Jesus in the forefront of our minds. Though he was rich, yet for our sake he became poor. By his poverty we became rich. It is a humbling realization, one that can only be seen through the lens of the Holy Spirit.

But seeing ourselves from this perspective is the only way to really have a chance at living out the greatest commandments of all: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.