Macedonian Math

[This article is based on the notes from the devotional given at Redeemer Baptist Church's January 31st Member's Meeting.]

"We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 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. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us" (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

A number of years ago government schools in Canada started using a math program called "Math Makes Sense". And other than the precipitously declining math scores across this nation, one could say it's worked just fine. Really, the critique has been that "Math Makes Sense" doesn't make much sense. Kind of a problem if you ask me. Well, as convoluted as that program is, it's not the only instance of math that doesn't make sense. In fact, the Bible has some interesting math in it too. One of the strangest statements in Paul's letters is this statement about the Macedonian churches. It's an instance of math that doesn't really make sense. Let me set it up like the bizarre equation that it is:

Severe test of affliction + abundance of joy + extreme poverty = overflowing wealth of generosity.

What!? Did we read that right? Well, you can check again, but that's the math. That's what Paul said. Affliction, joy, extreme poverty, and out pops an overflowing wealth of generosity. I would suggest that there must be a hidden variable in there, some hidden force multiplier, because on the surface this makes no sense.

That hidden variable is the grace of God. We see that from the first verse: "We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia". Paul is telling a story of God's grace in the life of the church. This becomes apparent throughout the passage. You see, Paul is bragging to Corinth about the Macedonian churches. Essentially saying, "I have to tell you what's happening there. Let me encourage you Corinthians with the Macedonians and their generous giving in the midst of hard trials." This is the context of this boast in which Paul employs his interesting math. But what he is saying is not really boasting in the church itself – at least not directly – it's boasting in God. God's grace is the reason the math is odd. What happened among the churches was truly unusual. It was not merely human, or natural, it was a grace. It was supernatural.

That's what we must see. It was true then and it is true now. The work that we do must be a work of grace or it is just mere human philanthropy and human religion. And who needs that in the final analysis? However, if we want to be a part of true Kingdom of God work, true gospel work, it must be empowered by grace. We cannot just muster up great deeds and great giving on our own. We need the grace of God working powerfully within us. They gave themselves first to the Lord, the text says. They depended upon the Lord. And so must we.

I am so encouraged by what God is doing here among us at Redeemer. We have gone through trials, afflictions, even in a relative sense, poverty – and yet what has God done? He has caused His grace to abound in us. This church becomes stronger and stronger by God's grace. And this last quarter was truly an example of that. We experienced an overflowing wealth of generosity. Our financial reports bear that out. My family can personally testify to the generous giving of this church family. But it's not just the bank account – it's the state of this church spiritually. I look at this congregation and I see overflowing generosity in service, overflowing generosity in hours spent for the sake of others. The Lord is working among His people here. And I thank God. Like Paul, I boast about you to others, giving glory to God.

It is amazing to see God work in the lives of His people. This should remind us to never count the Lord out of our plans. We ought never to judge by appearances. Losses and crosses are followed by resurrections. I mean, this is the Christian Faith after all. We follow our great Redeemer who defeated death itself and ever lives and reigns in power. This is how our Lord builds His church. By His power. By His grace. In His time. Through highs and lows. Through trials, afflictions, poverty, near disasters, persecutions, sufferings – with joy, with abiding peace, and with growing love – He builds His church.

We are never without hope, no matter what our calculators say. The math might not make sense on our human calculators. But there are unseen variables. The Lord is with us. His grace is sufficient. God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (2 Cor. 9:8).