Subscription Lists

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” This is not scripture, but it has a scriptural basis. This modern proverb evolved over centuries to its present form, having in earlier days simply been stated, “Hell is paved with good intentions.” In today’s message, our interest is in the scriptural basis for this saying and how it can be applied to our lives today.

Before quoting today’s focus text we will review some critical background information. The Church for which Jesus died (Acts 20.28) was not exclusive of any person due to his or her ethnicity. Any Jew and any Gentile could become a fully accepted member of the Lord’s Church (Galatians 3.26-29). Unlike churches of today that draw economic, social, political, and ethnic barriers, Christ loved (and loves) all humanity equally. If any person is excluded from the Lord’s Church, it is by self-exclusion due to one’s refusal to accept the Church’s only creed – Christ! These rules apply as we talk about the Lord’s Church (whether we speak in the past, present, or future).

The Gentiles of various regions knew of the severe famine that had afflicted many people, but particularly hard hit were the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem. The believers at Antioch (principally a Gentile city) heard about the plight of the Jewish believers in and around Jerusalem and determined to send them humanitarian aid due to the severe drought (see Acts 11.27-33). It was in this city, Antioch, that the believers were first called Christians (not Jews, Hellenists, Greeks, or Gentiles – just Christians! see Acts 11.26). It is thought that this same benevolent spirit stood behind the determination of the churches in Macedonia to send aid to the brethren in Jerusalem. Likewise, the Church at Corinth had purposed to help their fellow Christians in Jerusalem about a year before Paul wrote the book of Second Corinthians. Their purposing to help was admirable, but they had failed to complete the task. This was the background behind Paul’s admonition noted in the following paragraph.

“It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago [that is sending help to Jerusalem]; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.” (2 Corinthians 8.10-12). It seems probable that the ability of the Corinthian Christians had diminished since they first decided to help. Maybe they were even ashamed somewhat of the small amount that they would now be able to give. To this Paul says, “…if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.” With that, he challenges them to complete the doing of the thing they had purposed!

There are several lessons here, but we will note only two. First, it is right to purpose/pledge to do that which is good, even if the performing of the pledge is yet future. However, if it is purposed, it ought to be completed! Secondly, the size of ones contribution (whether of money, talents, time, etc.) is judged on God’s part according to one’s ability – not his inability! This principle is seen very clearly in the story of the widow’s tiny monetary contribution (less than a single penny). Yet concerning this woman’s gift, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12.43-44).

Question: When can a penny be worth more than a million dollars? Answer: When it is given from a willing heart and when it is a true sacrifice on the part of the donor. Complete the doing of it!

Questions:

1. In what city were believers first called Christians? What benevolent challenge did they agree to meet?

2. What had the Corinthian Christians purposed to do, but had not yet completed?

3. What principle of giving did Paul cite regarding what one has and/or what one does not have?

4. What would a person need to know in order to determine, according to God’s rules, who is the largest contributor towards a particular benevolent need? Is it possible that the person who gives the most money is the smallest contributor? If yes, explain.

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Trusting God Yields Happiness