Wednesday 17th May
Read 2 Corinthians 8:13-15
“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”” (NIVUK)
At the heart of Paul’s request of the Corinthians lies these verses. He is not asking the Corinthians to impoverish themselves by giving to the Judeans (v13) but his goal is ‘equality’ (v13-14). What is meant by the term ‘equality’? Some have argued that Paul advocates a form of Christian socialism; that everyone needs to place everything in the common pot and no one is to have any more than anyone else. Wealth distribution must be equal. But that is not the context Paul is speaking into – he is speaking to needs, and the obligation to meet those needs.
There is a big difference between Jesus saying that the man who has two shirts must give one to the man who has none, and someone arguing that the rich man who has ten shirts, must have a shirt confiscated and given to the less rich man who has eight, so that they both have nine. The difference is around meeting an obvious need with surplus resources and seeking to ‘equalise’ wealth. Perhaps a better way to think of ‘equality’ is in terms of ‘equilibrium’ – that there is a balance within the household of faith such that everyone’s needs are met (not everyone’s wants).
Gary Millar helpfully summarises Paul’s reference to the manna in the wilderness by pointing out that ‘excess is toxic’. Those who gathered too much, hoping to store the manna up for themselves, found only maggots the next day. He goes on to quote Calvin: “Those who have riches, whether inherited or won by their own industry and labour, are to remember that what is left over is meant, not for intemperance or luxury, but for relieving the needs of the brethren.”.
That is a challenge that goes against our instincts egregiously…
