9. Christian giving has symbolic significance
9. Christian giving has symbolic significance
There is more to Christian giving than meets the eye. Paul is quite clear about this. In the case of the Greek churches, their giving symbolized their ‘confession of the gospel of Christ’ (v13). How is that?
Paul looks beyond the mere transfer of cash to what it represents. The significance was more than geographical (from Greece to Judea) or economical (from the rich to the poor). It is also theological (from Gentile Christians to Jewish Christians), for it was a deliberate, self-conscious symbol of Jewish-Gentile solidarity in the body of Christ.
Indeed, this truth (that Jews and Gentiles are admitted to the body of Christ on the same terms, so that in Christ they are heirs together, members together and sharers together) was the ‘mystery’ which had been revealed to Paul (eg Ephesians 3:1–9). This was the essence of his distinctive gospel. It was the truth he lived for, was imprisoned for and died for. It is hinted at here, but elaborated in Romans 15:25–28.
Paul wrote there that the Gentile churches of Greece had been ‘pleased’ to make a contribution for the impoverished Christians of Judea. ‘They were pleased to do it’, he repeated. Indeed ‘they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings [culminating in the coming of the Messiah himself], they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings’ (Romans 15:27). It was a striking illustration and declaration of Christian fellowship.
In similar ways, our Christian giving can express our theology. For example, when we contribute to evangelistic enterprises, we are expressing our confidence that the gospel is God’s power for salvation, and that everybody has a right to hear it. When we give to economic development, we express our belief that every man, woman and child bears God’s image and should not be obliged to live in dehumanizing circumstances. When we give to the maturing of the Church, we acknowledge its centrality in God’s purpose and his desire for its maturity.