2 Corinthians 8:7 Just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in diligence of every kind, and in your love for us — see that you excel in this gift too. 8 I am not issuing an order; rather, I am testing the genuineness of your love against the diligence of others. 9 For you know how generous our Lord Yeshua the Messiah was — for your sakes he impoverished himself, even though he was rich, so that he might make you rich by means of his poverty. 10 As I say, in regard to this matter I am only giving an opinion. A year ago you were not only the first to take action but the first to want to do so. Now it would be to your advantage 11 to finish what you started, so that your eagerness in wanting to commence the project may be matched by your eagerness to complete it, as you contribute from what you have. 12 For if the eagerness to give is there, the acceptability of the gift will be measured by what you have, not by what you don’t have. 13 It is not that relief for others should cause trouble for you, but that there should be a kind of reciprocity: 14 at present your abundance can help those in need; so that when you are in need, their abundance can help you — thus there is reciprocity. 15 It is as the Tanakh says,
“He who gathered much had nothing extra,
and he who gathered little had nothing lacking.”[2 Corinthians 8:15 Exodus 16:18] (Complete Jewish Bible)
***I am honored to spend time with young people in our community. Whether they love sports or science, arts or music, many are driven to excel. They want to get better at their craft and maybe build their lives around it. Yet, often the best coach is not the person with all the knowledge; sometimes the best coach is failure--a bad game, a tobacco violation, getting benched for getting caught with booze, a family hurt that is not getting better--the kids of our communities know something about failure and struggle and pain. Not everybody is a winner, a leader or picked to be part of a group. So what story can help them become more resilient, can help us see that we are not defined by one bad day or choice? Paul reminds us: "For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich" (verse 9). May the story of Jesus reframe this day we are living.
Giving God, for this day, for its failures and fears, we claim the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as our strength amidst our weakness. We need you! Amen.
Kevin Bergeson, '07
Staff Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, S.D.
2 Corinthians 8:7 Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you[2 Corinthians 8:7 Other ancient authorities read your love for us]—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.[2 Corinthians 8:7 Gk this grace]
8 I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the generous act[2 Corinthians 8:9 Gk the grace] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10 And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— 11 now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. 13 I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14 your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. 15 As it is written,
“The one who had much did not have too much,
and the one who had little did not have too little.” (New Revised Standard Bible).***
The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108, United State
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