Have you seen how condominiums look once they are finished? They look all the same. Each window, door, sidewalk– all in the exact same place. Identical. Ever buy something from the grocery store and notice that all of the packs of pop have the same amount of cans in them? If one pack had 12 cans then all of the other packs have 12. They are all equal, and the same.
If things are equal it means that they are the same in all respects. They are even, fair, uniform and equivalent.
It was Paul’s wish that there be an equality in the church. That those who had an abundance help and supply those who were lacking.
2 Corinthians 8:10-15 “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.
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.
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
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:
As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.”
All the things that we have are things with which the Lord has blessed us. Whether it be money, possessions, food–it is God who created all things and it is He Who bestows upon us the things that He wills.
If someone in the church had need of something and there were others in the church that had the ability to give them or help them with that thing, Paul wanted them to have an equality. Maybe a member of the church had a bad year growing crops to feed his family, and they were in need of food. Those others in the church that had a great year with their crops were supposed to give of what they had been blessed with and help their brothers and sisters in the faith.
There were times when Paul had a need of some things, but certain churches didn’t help to give him what he needed, whatever those things were. Paul didn’t want to make himself seem as a burden to others, and could make do with what he had, but whatever things that one church failed to provide for him another church took care of. If Paul needed food or clothing, that church was there to help him. If he needed things to further the word of God, they were there giving of the things which they had to help Paul, and it showed their love for him.
1 Corinthians 16:17 “I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.”
2 Corinthians 11:9 “And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.”
When we see someone in the church in need, help them! Show them that love. Give to others in the church if you see them in need and can help them. In the church there shouldn’t be people starving and others who have so much food that they are throwing it away. There shouldn’t be people going without proper clothing and basic everyday needs while there are others who have so much that they could never use all of the things which they have. No super rich and no super poor. Equality in the church.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 