¹³For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality— ¹⁴at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; ¹⁵as it is written, “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

While some fret over increasing their giving even a little, others—with oversensitive consciences—find their minds tied up in other ways. Should they become poor so that others could become more financially well off than themselves? After all, didn’t Paul just write that about Jesus’ becoming poor that we might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9)?

Paul wants to rest our minds from this faulty application. Christ became poor so that we could share in His riches: “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). The correct application, as Paul gives it, should be a leveling of resources. If God has given you an abundance as compared to a person suffering deprivation, love moves you to share from your abundance with that person. Where is the love of the fellowship in Christ if some of us live with extra resources while others do not have enough to make ends meet?

Some might object that this sounds like socialism. However, socialism as a political philosophy mandates a redistribution of wealth and codifies this way of life through governmental laws. Paul is not advocating a political philosophy, but simply an outworking of genuine love motivated by an appreciation of all God has given us. The equality does not mean that all Christians should live at the same economic standard of living. The family of God should live in a reciprocal arrangement where we help each other out economically, willingly and generously. In the Corinthians’ case, it was the benevolence project to help the poor believers who were going through famine in the land of Israel.

Paul envisions the example of the Israelites in the desert, gathering manna (that miraculous food provided by God each day). God provided basic sustenance for all equally. God today wants to do the same thing. Though He does not provide miraculous food in the form of manna, He desires to provide for the needs of His people now through, well, His people. We should help in the financial burdens of others, especially our fellow Christians (Gal. 6:10).

In practical terms, that means we should help those in financial need for the basic necessities of life, and beyond that to be generous. This is so important that Paul has much more to write about it.

Lord, I confess I have looked out for my own needs more than those of others.