2.18- Some of the most poor and powerless people are the most generous people.

 2.18-

Some of the most poor and powerless people are the most generous people. I saw a news article just now on NBC evening news that reminded me of my travel on mission trips to Ukraine. In Kramatorsk they showed a poor family living in a basement where the matron of the family was a nurse. She was caring for her dying father who was blind and deaf. She would not allow Richard Engel to leave until until she shared borsht, a favorite Ukraian dish. Tears filled my eyes as I remembered being treated the same way.

She said she would never abandon her dad or her family. A little baby was born premature during the beginning of the bombing. These poor people who are poor and powerless are an example of human generousity.

Mark 12.

41 And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and began watching how the [w]people were putting [x]money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two [y]lepta coins, which amount to a [z]quadrans. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all [aa]the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their [ab]surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, [ac]all she had to live on.”

Acts 4.

32 And the [y]congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them [z]claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the [aa]proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had need.

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of [ab]Encouragement), 37 [ac]owned a tract of land. So he sold 

2 Corinthians 8,9

8 Now, brothers and sisters, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a [a]great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor [b]of participation in the [c]support of the [d]saints, 5 and this, not as we had [e]expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

7 But just as you excel in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the [f]love we inspired in you, see that you also excel in this gracious work. 8 I am not saying this as a command, but as proving, through the earnestness of others, the sincerity of your love as well. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish [g]doing it also, so that just as there was the willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12 For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality— 14 at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for their need, so that their abundance also may [h]serve as assistance for your need, so that there may be equality; 15 as it is written: “The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.”

16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness in your behalf in the heart of Titus. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord. 18 We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches; 19 and not only that, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness, 20 [i]taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; 21 for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of other people. 22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker [j]among you; as for our brothers, they are [k]messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. 24 Therefore, [l]openly before the churches, [m]show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.

9 For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the [a]saints; 2 for I know your willingness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I have sent the brothers, in order that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you will be prepared; 4 otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to mention you—would be put to shame by this confidence. 5 So I considered it necessary to urge the brothers that they go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously promised [b]generous gift, that the same would be ready as a [c]generous gift, and not as one grudgingly given due to greediness.

6 Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows [d]generously will also reap [e]generously. 7 Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written:

“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness [f]endures forever.”

10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the [g]saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your [h]contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!