2 Corinthians 8:5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God. Here we see Paul disappointed, though he was never discontented. "This they did, not as we hoped." Paul's disappointment was concerning money, although that was a thing the apostle never cared about at all. But his expectations were not realised on this occasion because they were exceeded. He had only hoped that they would give a little, for they were not rich people; but their liberality was up to the utmost limit of their power, "yea, and beyond their power." Our gifts are not to be measured by their amount, but by the surplus kept in our own hand. Not only did these Macedonian believers give much, but "they were willing of themselves." The apostle did not have to organise a "Fancy Fair" to wheedle the money out of them, nor even to urge them to their duty. But these Macedonians gave more than money: they gave themselves. This was the best donation; better even than the two mites of the poor widow. She gave her living; but they gave their life. I. THESE PEOPLE ARE AN EXAMPLE TO US. The great works of the world are not done by the great people of the world; but as the tiny coral insects, patiently working unseen, produce large results, it often happens that the weakest brethren bestow large blessings. They are an example because — 1. They followed the right order. They did the first thing first. "They first gave their own selves to the Lord." It spoils even good things when you reverse the right order, and put the cart before the horse. Did you ever hear of the servant who first dusted the room and then swept it? This is the first thing, because — (1) It is of the first importance. If you are Christ's, join Christ's people; but the first thing is, see to it that you are Christ's. Everything else is a poor second in comparison with this. (2) It makes the second thing valid. If it does not come first, the second is good for nothing. The man who gives himself to the people of God, before giving himself first to God, does wrong to God, to the Church, and to himself, and is thus a threefold offender. (3) It leads to the second. These Macedonians would never have given themselves to the Church if they had not first given themselves to God; for in those days to join the Church meant shame, persecution, and frequently death. 2. They were free in what they did. They "first gave." The only pressure put upon them was that which made them willing in the day of God's power. The religion which is pressed by surroundings, friends, or the demands of society is not worth having. They gave themselves, also, wholly and unreservedly. This is proved by the fact that their money followed the gift of their own selves. 3. They acted in obedience to "the will of God."(1) They felt that it was right to give themselves to the Lord first, because Christ had bought them with His blood. This is the apostle's argument (chap. 14, 15). (2) They felt the same thing about giving themselves to the apostle, and the Church. It is the will of God that you who love Him should be numbered with His people. It is for your comfort, growth, preservation. You owe something to the Church. By its means the preaching of the gospel has been kept alive in the world. Through its preaching you have been converted. (3) So also in regard to helping the poor. Christ is the poor man's truest Friend; and those who give themselves to Christ must give of their substance to the poor, and thus lay up "treasure in heaven." II. LET US FOLLOW THEIR EXAMPLE. 1. Give yourself to the Lord. Do not wait to make yourself better, or to feel better. Until you have given yourself to Him, He cannot accept any other offering. Unless you are really Christ's, you cannot be truly happy. Nor can we be safe. Only His power can save us from our adversary, the devil. Some of us gave ourselves to Christ forty years ago, some thirty; some twenty; some ten; some only quite lately. Well, do you wish to run back? 2. Give yourself to the Church. (1) Not that you will find it perfect. If I had waited till I had found one that was perfect, I should never have joined one at all; and if I had found one, it would not have been perfect after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us. (2) How else is there to be a Church in the earth? If it is right for any one to refrain from membership in the Church, it is right for every one, and then the testimony of God would be lost to the world. (3) It is due to our fellow-workers. Some of them are fainting for want of helpers. It is a hot autumn day, and a man is reaping; the sweat pours from his face, and he fears that he will never get to the end of the field; and all the time you are pleasantly occupied leaning over a gate, and saying to yourself, "That is an uncommonly good labourer." Or, perhaps, instead of doing that, you are saying, "Why, he does not handle the sickle properly! I could show him a better way of reaping." The work of the Church is generally left to a few earnest folk. Is that right? (4) Think again, what a lack of fellowship there will be if those who have given themselves to the Lord do not also give themselves to His people. Possibly you ask, "What should I gain by joining the Church?" That is a miserable question to put. Do you know how much you will lose by not joining the Church? You will lose — (a) The satisfaction of having done your Lord's will. (b) The joy of fellowship with your brethren. (c) The opportunity of helping by your example the weak ones of the flock. 3. Give yourself both to the Lord and to His Church. Put the two together, and thus begin to place yourself wholly in the line of God's will. Do this — (1) That you may bear witness for Christ. Here are certain people who, with all their faults, are the true followers of Christ. Join them, and say, "I, too, am a follower of Christ." That is what church membership means. (2) To spread the gospel. Everybody is needed in this service to-day; for the clear light of the gospel is sadly obscured in many places. (3) To maintain the Church. Nothing in the world is dearer to God's heart than His Church; therefore, being His, let us also belong to it, that by our prayers, gifts, labours, we may strengthen it. (4) That you may grow in love, and continue to prove your love to your Lord and His Church. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. |
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