Wednesday 11 March 2026

Psalm 19

Background
In yesterday’s passage Paul was commending the generosity of the Macedonian churches who "gave according to their means, and even beyond their means" (2 Corinthians 8:3). In encouraging the Corinthian church to give generously, he dropped the phrase "beyond their means". They should give merely "out of their abundance" and he writes of "a fair balance" (8:14)

If the Corinthians were to give beyond their means, they would themselves become poor, no longer in a position to help impoverished Christians in Jerusalem, but adding to their number by needing help themselves. Today we occasionally read of people so moved to respond to all the appeals sent out by charities that they are depriving themselves of the basic necessities of food and heating.

Paul’s plea for a fair balance was about money of course, balance between what we spend on ourselves and our families and what we give to the needy. But the same is true of our time. We sometimes hear of ministers and other church workers who spend so much time on church matters that they may sometimes appear in danger, if not of neglecting their families, at least of not spending sufficient time with them. If they get the balance of their time wrong, eventually they, their families and the Church will all suffer.

We need to get the balance right, not only in the Lord’s sight, but also in the sight of others.

Paul was fortunate in having Titus to help him in his work. They were both of one mind. Titus was planning to visit the Corinthians, accompanied by an unnamed ‘brother’ (8:18), who was probably Luke as he also sometimes travelled with Paul on his missionary journeys. With them there is a third traveller, also not named, who is particularly keen to meet the Corinthian Christians (8:22).

To Ponder:

• How do you maintain a fair balance between work and family?
• The generosity of the Macedonian churches was held up as an example and a challenge for the Corinthians to follow. Bearing in mind differences in circumstances is this a fair practice in appealing for funds for any cause?

Prayer
Loving Father, bless our families and friends, and all who own an interest in our prayers. Amen.

Bible notes author: Alan Sharp
Alan Sharp lives in St Albans where he is a member of both his local Methodist church and his parish church. He has been a local preacher and a church organist and choirmaster for over 60 years. He writes a monthly article on hymn tunes for The Methodist Recorder.