The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 8:1-5, “Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,

2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.

3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,

4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,

5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.”

Do you have problems? Do I have problems? That’s like asking if a dog has fleas! Everyone has problems! Moses had a problem with Pharaoh. David had a problem with Goliath. The Apostle Paul had problems with churches. They differ somewhat, of course. Some problems are minuscule; some are huge! Nevertheless, they are all problems!

Churches are comprised of people; so, if people have problems, so do churches. Further, if churches have problems, so do their people. It was somewhat the same with the churches of Macedonia. They had abundant problems! Yet, their affliction was stifled by an “abundance of joy!”

No, the Macedonians were not wealthy; they were impoverished! Still, their resilience was like elasticity in that it gave them hope! Those Macedonian churches just wouldn’t quit! Conceivably, every possible discouragement encompassed them like a dense, dark cloud. Yet, while they needed help themselves, their love for the LORD and their knowledge of the impoverishment of other believers moved them to help.

Have you ever relinquished something you treasured in order to help someone in serious need? The very thought is welcomed more than the treasure. What’s more, the giving always outweighs the treasure. The LORD is no man’s debtor! He giveth and giveth and giveth again!

The greatest gift we can offer to others is the Gift the LORD gave to us: His Son, Jesus Christ!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom