Authentic Fellowship From James MacDonaldSample

Fellowship in Action Fellowship involves sharing what I have. 2 Corinthians 8:3 describes fellowship in action as people who “gave according to their means.” What they had, they gave. What do you have? I have time. I have experience and wisdom. I have compassion. Yes, I have certain resources. That’s were fellowship in action begins. In the passage above, Paul told the Corinthians what a good example the Macedonians were in giving. Here’s what was going on. Because of persecution and famine, some of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem were starving. So some of the churches in Asia Minor took up offerings for them. But amazingly, people who gave really didn’t have—humanly speaking—very much to give. Paul says, “You’ve got to hear about this grace that’s been given.” Look at verses two and three. It wasn’t the biggest gift, but it may have been the biggest sacrifice. Everyone’s “means” are different. God multiplies the products of an attitude of giving, no matter the size or nature of the gift. Remember what Jesus did with a boy’s sack lunch (John 6:1-12)? Don’t you want your church to be a compelling testimony of the power of the Gospel in the way people love and care for one another? Every time you write a note, each time you make a meal for someone who’s hurting, and every time you give what you have to meet someone’s need, you are practicing fellowship. It’s a powerful thing! Prayer – Father, open my eyes to see needs You have provided for me to help meet. Who I am and what I have come from You, and I want to be directed by You in how I use all You have given. Help me never lose sight that I belong to You and can be an instrument in Your hands for Your work in the world. Open my eyes, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.