Behold, I make all things new!
2 Corinthians 8:1-15
We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; 2for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, 4begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints — 5and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us, 6so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking among you. 7Now as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you — so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.
8I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. 9For 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. 10And 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 — 11now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. 12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has — not according to what one does not have. 13I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. 15As it is written,
"The one who had much did not have too much,
and the one who had little did not have too little."
The Gifts of Advent
Advent: a time to prepare, a time of darkness as the days get shorter. Advent: a time of contemplation, a time to prepare ourselves once again to welcome the Christ child into our lives. Advent: a time of peace.
We have 15 shopping days left until Christmas, with presents to buy, packages to wrap, cookies to bake, school events to attend. COVID rages around us. Do we vaccinate, do we wear masks? There are supply shortages and shipping snarls. Will our presents get here or get there? Advent: a time to panic, to be short tempered, to be stressed.
Paul in Second Corinthians writes about giving more when really all we want is to do less, to gather ourselves and our family together and be still. Can’t we, just this once Jesus, do less?
To which Jesus would answer, softly and quietly: Be still and know that I am. Breathe. I know things are hard and complicated. “The gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you” (verses 12-13).
Advent: a time to prepare for the gift that matters most, the gift of Jesus that begins at Christmas and is fully unwrapped at Easter. The gift of grace, the gift of forgiveness, the gift of everlasting love.
We may believe that to be a good Christian is to give, and during this time we hear that call to give even more. But perhaps it isn’t just about the giving. Maybe it is about truly appreciating the abundance that we have, regardless of our circumstance. Perhaps the message is to trust. Trust in the Lord that we have all that we need. After all, 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” (verse 15).
Lord, thank you for your love, generosity, abundance, grace and peace. Help us share these gifts. Help us to be truly generous in spirit, to care for the vulnerable and love our neighbors, trusting in you. Amen.
Jim Hemseth – Joy Lutheran Church, Eagle River