2 Corinthians 8:10-15
10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
This passage begins with the giving promises and commitments of the Corinthians. Paul is urging them to follow through and keep doing what they started the year prior, that they would not let their fire that began this to stop burning, but that they would finish it. The principle given then is to give as we are able with a willing heart, not worrying if it is enough when that is all we each have. Together we can meet needs, some giving more and some less, but each as they are able to do. It is not to slack off and let others give more, but simply to each give their best. The example from the wilderness manna is then given to show each one’s needs are different and God gives what each requires; that is also how we are to give, differently in proportion but equally from our storehouses and hearts.
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