Author: Rev. Lek Aik Wee

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2 Corinthians 8:15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

The Apostle Paul quotes Exodus 16:18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

God provided manna to meet the shortage of food in the wilderness after Israel left Egypt.

God takes care of His people. All who trust in Him will find in Him their all-sufficiency. We can rest in the Lord’s care for us. The psalmist testifies in Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want. We shall have no lack who trust in our God.

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It is Well With My Soul

– Hymn Story

This beloved hymn was written by a Presbyterian layman from Chicago named Horatio G. Spafford who born in North Troy, New York, on October 20, 1828. As a young man Spafford had established a successful legal practice in Chicago. Along with his financial success, he always maintained a keen interest in Christian activities. He enjoyed a close and active relationship with D. L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of that era. He was described by George Stebbins, a noted gospel musician, as a “man of unusual intelligence and refinement, deeply spiritual, and a devoted student of the Scriptures.”

Some months prior to the Chicago Fire of 1871, Spafford had invested heavily in real estate on the shore of Lake Michigan, and his holdings were wiped out by this disaster. Desiring a rest for his wife and four daughters as well as wishing to assist Moody and Sankey in one of their campaigns in Great Britain, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in November of 1873. Due to unexpected last minute business developments, he had to remain in Chicago, but he sent his wife and four daughters ahead as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre. He expected to follow in a few days. On November 22 the ship was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel, and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later the survivors were finally landed at Cardiff, Wales, and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, “Saved alone.” Shortly afterwards near the sea where his four daughters had drowned, Spafford penned this text whose words so significantly describe his own personal grief – “When sorrows like sea billows roll…” It is noteworthy, however, that Spafford’s hymn does not dwell on the theme of life’s sorrows and trials but focuses attention in the third stanza on the redemption work of Christ and in the fourth stanza anticipates His glorious Second Coming. Humanly speaking, it is amazing that one could experience such personal tragedies and sorrows as Horatio Spafford did and still be able to say with such convincing clarity, “It is well with my soul.”

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2 Corinthians 8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

The Apostle Paul reasons that the church that is in need is to receive needful help from other able churches. This time the church in Jerusalem requires the help of the churches in Corinth and Macedonia. A time may come when the situation is reversed, at that time, the church in Jerusalem is expected to readily come forward to help the churches in Macedonia or Corinth. In that sense, there is equality.

Indeed, when Israel as in the wilderness, there was no food, God provided the needful supply throughout the 40 years. In that sense, the churches with resources by them are encouraged to help those in need.

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2 Corinthians 8:13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

The encouragement by the Apostle Paul for the Corinthian church concerning their giving was not to put a financial strain upon them so that they would be impoverished and the Jerusalem church eased. [MacDonald]

The duty that the Apostle Paul presses upon the Corinthian church was to give according to their means. No doubt, their contribution may be more than the churches in Macedonia, he assured them it was a team effort with the other churches, the burden of the support is therefore shared. The principle is to give what they are able to with a willing heart and to complete the task.

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It seemed the delay for the Corinthian church’s collection towards the aid of the saints in Jerusalem was the desire that more could be sent. The Apostle Paul reminded them that the test is not in the amount sent but their willingness to fulfil their spiritual stewardship. As such, he urged them to make haste to send their portion of help.

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Hymns: RHC 335 Keep on Believing, 333 Yesterday, Today, Forever；334 Sweet Peace, the Gift of God’s Love  诗歌：坚持地相信；颂主新歌 323 时刻靠主；390 奇妙平安由神来 Job 6:1-13 约伯记 6:1-13 KJV Job 6:1But Job answered and said, 2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances …

18. Finding Comfort in Affliction Read more »

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2 Corinthians 8:11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

The Corinthian church was first to express the willingness to contribute to the support of the saints’ needs in Jerusalem. However, it’s been a year since and the work was not completed. Other churches are done with their contribution.

The Apostle Paul is nudging them on to the completion of it. He is urging them to not hesitate but be forthcoming in this good work. And this contribution should be according to the resources they have with them and not pledging their future income, which is not certain.

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2 Corinthians 8:10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

The church in Corinth had begun a year ago to raise the funds to support the needy Christians in Jerusalem. The task that began was yet completed. The Apostle Paul writes here to encourage them to complete this good work. The churches in Macedonia have completed their part in the giving although they began later.

It is interesting that the Apostle Paul would make such an appeal. His reason is that it is spiritually profitable to the Corinthian church, this is the meaning of the word “expedient”. He reminded them, it is you, yourselves, who began this. It is to your credit that you would complete it. The Lord will be pleased.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Romans 15:1-2 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

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2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is highlighted by the Apostle Paul as our example. Christ gave Himself for us. As the God of heaven, Jesus put aside His glory to become a man and to suffer as a man so as to save sinful man and reconcile him to a holy God. Jesus gave everything, He is the most generous of all man who walked on earth.

He was so generous that He gave all He had for our sakes that we through His poverty might become eternally rich. [MacDonald]

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Honour Our Parents

Deuteronomy 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

On Mother’s Day, it is fitting to rehearse the Lord’s 5thcommandment, the foremost of human relations, for children to honour their father and mother. A command to give thanks to father and mother for they are the imparter of life to us. Without them, we will not have our existence. Children owe their existence to their mothers who gave birth to them after carrying them in their womb. Not an easy task to carry, bear and finally to give birth. The physical toil upon the mother’s body is tremendous from conception to the full term of the baby, not to mention the painful process of childbirth.

When the baby is born, the mother began the process of caring for the little baby amidst her physical weariness after childbirth. The feeding of the baby, the changing of the diapers, the cleaning and bathing. The mother communicates with the baby by her touch, by her voice, by her presence, bringing love and security to the infant child.

The infant grows to be a toddler, able to turn, crawl and learning to walk. Mother is at hand to guide each step of the way. What an effort! The mother sings, speaks, prays, read the Scripture to the growing child, bringing the child up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4b). The father is no less involved if not more in the upbringing of the child. What a responsibility entrusted to father and mother in the nurturing of the young life.

When the child is sick, feverish and weak, mother and father sponge the child, sometimes for long hours when the temperature is high. The occasions when the child is rushed to the clinic or the hospital, the anxious times of emergency. The toddler’s bible, the children’s bible, the bible stories read to the growing child. The bible songs taught to the delight of the child. The message of the gospel imparted, line by line, precept by precept, with prayer. Thank God for father and mother.

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