“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, 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.” 2 Corinthians 8:14-15
Have you ever heard the phrase “you can’t boil the ocean”? It’s an idiom that simply implies that someone is taking on an impossible task. Compassionate individuals who have an overwhelming desire to meet the needs of others can sometimes feel defeated. There are just too many needs to meet. One person can’t help everyone.
In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul reminds us that when we each give from the areas of our surplus, we open the door for someone else to meet our needs when we’re experiencing lack. He reminds us that the true goal of giving is equality. Meeting the needs of others and having our needs met is not an impossible task when we each give out of what God has given us, in that sense, together; we really can boil the ocean!
Let’s focus on being better stewards of what God has given us.
Lord, open my eyes to see the areas of surplus in my life and reveal to me how I can help those in need. Help me to see that when I join with others, I can make a greater difference. Amen!
Take Action
Ask God to open your eyes this week to how you can meet someone’s need through service or a monetary gift. If you feel compassion for a situation, don’t second guess yourself. Once you've prayed about it and feel peace, just take that step of faith to offer help, even if it’s a little out of your comfort zone.
Check out the Feed the Hungry Challenge.