Peephole into the Bible

A Gift of Love

Reading about the outpouring of food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities when the residents of Martha’s Vineyard were confronted with an unexpected influx of desperate Venezuelan refugees, I was reminded that the Apostle Paul equated loving and sharing. These are the words of Paul in two of his letters.
To the gathering in Corinth: “We want to remind you, brothers and sisters, about the divine favor bestowed on gatherings of the Anointed (Christ) in Macedonia. In the midst of terribly trying circumstances, their exuberant joy and their desperate poverty have yielded a surpassing generosity. They gave what they could afford. Without any prompting, they begged us most urgently for the privilege of participating in this generous service for the Anointed’s people.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-4.)
And to the gathering in Philippi: “You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was in Thessalonika (in Macedonia), you sent me help for my needs more than once.” (Philippians 4:15-16.)
In keeping with their Jewish roots, Jesus and Paul both envisioned a community of love and care that includes strangers. No more needs to be said.

Lyn Pickhover, Trying to Follow