Others Eased and You Burdened 2 Corinthians 8:13

Paul the apostle shared with the church members in Corinth concerning giving and wrote, “for if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that he has not”, and in chapter eight and verse thirteen of Second Corinthians, Paul wrote, “not that other men be eased, and you burdened” them where we read:

For I mean not that other men be eased, and you burdened:

The verse begins, “For I mean not that other men be eased, ...” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “I mean not” or “Paul was not in direct question while expecting an affirmative answer” “that other men” which refers to “another person or group of people” “be eased” which means “be loosened, relaxed, relieved and rested”. Paul was not implying that other people would be “relieved and relaxed” in their giving just because he addressed the Corinthians.

The verse continues, “... and you burdened:” Paul added the words, “and you” which means “ant the church members in Corinth” “burdened” which means “pressured, afflicted, distressed and in straits”. Paul in no way meant for the church members to be “pressured and afflicted” while others were put at “ease” in their giving.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see his care for the understanding of the church members in Corinth. Though he wanted them to “give” toward the ministry of the gospel, he did not mean to “pressure” them and “provide ease” to others. Jesus Christ desires for everyone who believe and trust in Him to be a part of the ministry of the gospel, and when a person gives, it should not be to the “relief” of other people providing their part. Everyone is to give according to the supply which the Lord has blessed, and when they do, not only is the ministry favored, but the giver is blessed as well.

Next time Paul shares about, “an equality”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.