Partners in mission

by Major Richard Welch: 2 CORINTHIANS 8:1–15

IN my present role, you would expect me to be an enthusiastic advocate of the Self-Denial Appeal. And indeed I am, for it provides the resources that enable The Salvation Army to continue to proclaim the good news about Jesus. The very survival of some territories depends on this worldwide giving.

The projects it funds strengthen and support the Army’s spiritual mission – as well as increasing our organisational capacity – especially in new and developing territories. Recent projects include new corps halls and community centres, corps cadet camps, music schools, adult evangelism training and anti-trafficking projects.

Self-denial and giving are nothing new. In fact, we have evidence in our study passage that Paul spent some ten years raising funds from the Gentile churches for missionary efforts and famine relief in support of the Judaean believers. The situation in Palestine was fuelled by overpopulation, food shortages and crippling taxation on an already unstable financial market. The appeal lasted till AD 57, when Paul – with representatives from contributing Gentile churches – took the funds to Jerusalem.

In verse 3 Paul uses the example of the Macedonian Christians, who – though poor and persecuted – overflowed in love, joy and generosity in giving to this cause: ‘They gave as much as they were able’ (New International Version). They did not concentrate on their own needs or desires, but on others. Indeed, they begged Paul for the chance to give.

Motivating Christians to give is difficult enough in good economic times, let alone when finances are stretched! Yet we see in this example, at a time of extreme hardship, that – after first giving themselves to the Lord – the Macedonian churches felt compelled to help the ongoing mission of Christ. Their response was the privilege of sharing what little they could spare with those who were struggling.

Despite today’s economic woes, we still live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Compared with many people in developing countries, we are blessed.

So what can we learn from Corinth’s role in this fundraising effort? Not only were they the first church to give, but also the first to have the desire to do so. Interestingly, Paul makes no direct appeal for money; his approach is to provide the Church with challenges and incentives. In so doing, he also challenges us as we consider our response to self-denial.

• He motivates us by comparing attitudes, not money. The joyful, eager and heartfelt attitude of the Macedonian churches is presented to the Corinthians, not the sum of their contribution. How does our attitude compare? Are we joyful, eager and sincere in our giving to resource Christ’s mission?
• He challenges us to be selfless. Paul did not benefit in any way from the church collection. What is our motivation for giving?
• Paul’s fellow Christians required the basic necessities of life – a worthy cause. The Self-Denial Appeal is also a worthy cause! By giving, we become partners in the worldwide mission.
• Paul points out that generous giving is an act of divine grace (v1). It is only as God enables that we are able to give. Spend time in prayer, thanking God for his providence and abundant blessings. What are we doing in response?
• Paul’s relief fund served as a visible expression of the interdependence of believers worldwide. Through self-denial, we are involved in the ongoing mission of the Army and fellow Salvationists throughout the world.
• We demonstrate the unity of the gospel (see Galatians 3:28).

Paul tells the Corinthians: ‘Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal’ (v14 New Living Translation).

We may still be wealthy materially, but in terms of church membership in the West we are in decline and under real attack from an increasingly secularist society. The territories where Salvation Army numbers are growing are those whose mission we are supporting from our abundance today. Could it be that very soon they will be supporting us from their abundance? One day the UKT may need officer reinforcement!

Let us be open to God’s will. May it also be said of us: ‘They gave as much as they were able.’