Extending the Table

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Extending the Table
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2 Corinthians 8.9-15

• For 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. And 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 now finish doing it, so
  that your eagerness may be matched by completing
  it according to your means. For if the eagerness
  is there, the gift is acceptable according to
  what one hasnot according to what one does not
  have.

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• I do not mean that there should be relief for
  others and pressure on you, but it is a question
  of a fair balance between your present abundance
  and their need, so that their abundance may be
  for your need, in order that there may be a fair
  balance. 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.

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1. Jesus Example

• Jesus became poor so we might become rich
• i.e. he joined us in our poverty so that we might
  all be raised up
• Paul says we should have the same attitude toward
  those who are poor

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2. Our desire to help must become action

• James Its not much help to say be warmed and
  filled if you dont help provide food and
  shelter
• We must act to whatever extent we can
• (following through on a small action is better
  than huge plans not acted on)

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3. God intends a fair balance

• Our abundance is intended to meet the needs of
  the poor thats what its for
• Meant to go both ways
• What do the poor give to us
• MCC

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2 things weve tried to remember in our justice
group

• stay positive
• (what can be done, what is being done)
• stay practical
• (follow awareness with actions)

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How bad is it?

• 852 million people across the world are hungry
• 40,000 to 50,000 people die each day as a result
  of malnutrition
• Every two seconds a child dies of hunger-related
  causes

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How bad is it?

• 1.3 billion people live on less than one dollar a
  day
• 3 billion live on under two dollars a day
• 1.3 billion have no access to clean water
• 3 billion have no access to sanitation

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• The amount of money spent in one year on bottled
  water by those who do have access to safe tap
  water would be enough to provide sources of clean
  water to everyone in the world

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1 Corinthians 11.20-22

• When you meet together, you don't really
  celebrate the Lord's Supper. You even start
  eating before everyone gets to the meeting, and
  some of you go hungry, while others get drunk.
  Don't you have homes where you can eat and drink?
  Do you hate God's church? Do you want to
  embarrass people who don't have anything? What
  can I say to you? I certainly cannot praise you.

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1 Corinthians 11.26-29, 33

• The Lord meant that when you eat this bread and
  drink from this cup, you tell about his death
  until he comes. But if you eat the bread and
  drink the wine in a way that isn't worthy of the
  Lord, you sin against his body and blood. That's
  why you must examine the way you eat and drink.
  If you fail to understand that you are the body
  of the Lord, you will condemn yourselves by the
  way you eat and drink. My dear friends, you
  should wait until everyone gets there before you
  start eating.

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2 Corinthians 9.5-15 from the Message

• So to make sure there will be no slipup, I've
  recruited these brothers as an advance team to
  get you and your promised offering all ready
  before I get there. I want you to have all the
  time you need to make this offering in your own
  way. I don't want anything forced or hurried at
  the last minute.

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• Remember A stingy planter gets a stingy crop a
  lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of
  you to take plenty of time to think it over, and
  make up your own mind what you will give. That
  will protect you against sob stories and
  arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver
  delights in the giving.

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• God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways
  so that you're ready for anything and everything,
  more than just ready to do what needs to be done.
  As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the
  winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
  His right-living, right-giving ways never run
  out, never wear out. This most generous God who
  gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for
  your meals is more than extravagant with you.

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• He gives you something you can then give away,
  which grows into full-formed lives, robust in
  God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be
  generous in every way, producing with us great
  praise to God.

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• Carrying out this social relief work involves far
  more than helping meet the bare needs of poor
  Christians. It also produces abundant and
  bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief
  offering is a prod to live at your very best,
  showing your gratitude to God by being openly
  obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of
  Christ.

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• You show your gratitude through your generous
  offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and
  really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the
  extravagance of God in your lives, they'll
  respond by praying for you in passionate
  intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for
  this gift, his gift. No language can praise it
  enough!