It’s always important that every member of a team do his or her part. It’s no use the Springboks having the best and fastest backline and the biggest and roughest frontline, but at the lineouts the hooker’s throw-ins are not straight so that the opponents win the ball. And in the scrums the hooker is also not doing well, because he knows very little about hooking. It’s very simple: If the forwards and the backs do not get the ball, there is very little chance of scoring a try under the posts. It must be a balanced team of players and each and every one must do their bit.

Paul tried to teach the same principle to the young Christians of Corinth: 7You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too.

It seems as if they had converted, but that their wallets were still inverted. This is normally the last hurdle you have to conquer. In a way one can assess how healthy your relationship with God is by looking at how open your hand is.

On the other hand, we shouldn’t focus so much on giving that we forget the other side of the coin. We must ensure the health of every dimension of our Christianity. Just like the people of Corinth our faith must be strong. When the stormy winds of life rush over us, we must be anchored in our faith. Just like a tall tree gently moving to and fro when the strong winds blow and is not afraid of falling over, because its roots are anchored on the ground. And we must be anchored in the Word of God in the same way. Our roots must have grown into the Scripture so strongly that the winds of life will never dishearten us. Then we will not be afraid of being blown over, because we’ll know that we are anchored in God’s Word.

In the same way we must be committed and dedicated in our faith and not afraid to spread and live Christ’s message of salvation. If we have seen and experienced God’s love first-hand, it’s easy to live it in the world. Love changes the world. Love absorbs angry words and cannot repay evil with evil. Where love lands, need disappears. One action automatically follows the other. It’s one process. If one is missing, the whole process breaks down.

We know we must give. But giving doesn’t come easily if the whole process is not running smoothly. Therefore, it is important to focus on each of them. We must ensure that what we believe is right and that our faith in God is steadfast, no matter what curve balls the world throws at us. We must continuously immerse ourselves in God’s Word and ensure that it changes us into God’s picture of us. We shouldn’t be ashamed of this and we must share it with others. Then living love towards everybody will become easier. We achieve it by giving time, energy, money and more.

May God’s spirit lead us to the right places to give. May He help us to open our tight fists so that we can give more easily and live love. May we as a team also excel everywhere so that we can conquer our opponents.

2 Corinthians 8:1-6

Reflection

What does your faith look like?

How well do you know the Word of God?

Where can you give yourself and live love?

Prayer

Father, I realise that I will have to work on a couple of levels before I will be able to do what the Macedonians did. I know that if my relationship with You is not good, I cannot offer myself to others. I know that I struggle to understand what love is when I don’t spend enough time in Your Word. Amen