“BY THE WILL OF GOD!”

1 Corinthians 8:1-5                               (ESV)

“1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of GOD that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints-

5 and this, NOT AS WE EXPECTED, but they gave themselves first to the LORD and then “BY THE WILL OF GOD” to us.”

JESUS spent a fair amount of time in the synagogue,  but HE mostly ministered to the people of Samaria, Judea, and anywhere that the Spirit of GOD directed HIM to minister.  Personally, I attend church where I believe ALMIGHTY GOD directs me to attend, but it is not in the swankiest part of the wealthiest neighborhood near where I reside.  No, the fellowship I attend is in a lower income neighborhood and predominantly minorities occupy the houses nearest our facility.  

Now I am not disparaging the churches that are located in other places, but ALMIGHTY GOD has a way of placing workers in a fellowship that best identity with the mission of that fellowship.  Some fellowships may feel a calling to use their resources in one manner, while others a led in a different direction.  If everyone felt the same instructions, all of our gifts would wind up going to the same place!  GOD is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), so HE can work everything according to HIS will and purpose.  

Just because ALMIGHTY GOD blesses someone with wealth beyond their need it doesn’t make that person need to move to the “ritzy” part of town, nor change their lifestyle.  GOD can remove that wealth just as quickly as HE blessed us with it.  HE isn’t bound by what we think HE should be doing, or what “makes sense” to us!  It doesn’t “make sense” for a perfect, HOLY GOD to willingly sacrifice HIS SON for a people as self-centered and unholy as we are, YET HE DID IT ANYWAY!  

It has been said that a church should be a hospital for the sick to nurse their illnesses, not a shrine to display our latest purchase from the department store.  True Believers should be humble followers of JESUS, not leaders of the affluent.  Maybe we need to live like the wealth we share with others is truly “BY THE WILL OF GOD” and not because we are such wonderful people?  Believers are extensions of a HOLY GOD, and when we act as though we are ABOVE others, we are acting as though we are deserving of their adorations, not as servants of the MOST HIGH GOD!  “BY THE WILL OF GOD” may I remember that HE placed me where I am to Glorify HIM, and not me!!!