WHEN THE APOSTLE PAUL MADE his way through Europe, specifically the region of ancient Macedonia, he shared with those believers the financial need of the Jerusalem church. Macedonia was already an economically depressed area. Macedonia was to Paul what Bangladesh would be to the US. It would be like encouraging the poorest people of Appalachia to respond to those who are hurting in the ghetto of Harlem. "You people under this bridge . . . give to those people on welfare!" would be a strange appeal today.
You know what's remarkable? They gave—and generously! Those financially deprived Macedonian believers were so concerned over their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem who did not have sufficient money to make ends meet, they gave an extremely generous gift.
Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
What a remarkable report! Those Christians demonstrated authentic servanthood in their giving. When we give as a servant gives, the same things are true of us.
I like it that not one specific church or donor is mentioned, simply "the churches of Macedonia." No statues of bronze were later erected in Jerusalem, no names of super saints chiseled in marble or inscribed in some book for others to applaud.
When we practice the art of unselfish living, let's remain joyfully anonymous. When was the last time you gave something to someone without anyone else . . . on earth . . . knowing it?
Devotional content taken from Good Morning, Lord . . . Can We Talk? by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2018. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a division of Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved. The full devotional can be purchased at tyndale.com.
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
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