2 Corinthians 8:15 Commentary and Bible Study

Paul has here a wonderful example because he quotes Exodus 16:18, the example of the manna – ‘As it is written, he that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.’ Now that does not make a lot of sense in this context unless you note the method that was followed in the giving of the manna. The people went out to collect the manna, and some people collected much, and some collected much less. We can only guess at the reason. Perhaps it was the hale and hearty that collected much, and the aged and the feeble collected little. But that did not affect the distribution because the manna was brought together and then measured out to the families according to their need, according to the mouths to feed and so on, so that there was a similarity in the care. God provided, and therefore, fittingly, everyone was provided for. And that is the principle for the giving of relief. In things to do with our physical needs, one part of the church should not have more than they need while another part of the church goes short. Compassion makes our substance flow in the direction of the needy. It is the principle of giving to the Lord’s work, it is the principle of every effort that we expend in Christian service. The principle is that all must be served and helped: benevolence is to all.