印度東北部的米佐拉姆邦正慢慢擺脫貧困的狀態。儘管當地居民收入微薄，但自從福音傳入這個地區，當地相信耶穌的人就奉行「一把米」的傳統做法，每天預備飯食的人都會留下一把生米給教會。按照世界的標準來說，米佐拉姆邦的教會算是貧窮的，然而，他們卻捐贈數百萬美元給宣教事工，並差派宣教士去世界各地。如今在他們的家鄉，有許多人相信了耶穌。

在哥林多後書第8章，保羅提到有一個教會也面臨類似的挑戰。馬其頓地區的信徒雖然窮困，但卻依然慷慨樂捐（1-2節）。因他們把捐獻視為一項殊榮，他們甚至超過自己能力地捐助（3節），與保羅同工。他們瞭解自己只是上帝所賜資源的管家，捐獻財物是表明他們信靠這位供應一切需要的上帝。

保羅以馬其頓信徒為例，鼓勵哥林多教會的信徒也應如此付出：「既然你們在信心、口才、知識、萬分的熱忱，以及我們對你們的愛心上，都勝人一等，那麼，當在這慈善的事上也要勝人一等。」（7節，和合本修訂版）

就像馬其頓教會以及米佐拉姆邦的信徒一樣，我們也能反映出天父的慷慨，大方地與人分享我們所擁有的資源。

The state of Mizoram in northeast India is slowly climbing out of poverty. Despite their lack of income, since the gospel first came to this area, believers in Jesus have practiced a local tradition called “handful of rice.” Those preparing meals each day set aside a handful of uncooked rice and give it to the church. Mizoram churches, poor by the world’s standard, have given millions to missions and sent missionaries around the world. Many in their home state have come to Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul describes a similarly challenged church. Believers in Macedonia were poor, but that didn’t keep them from giving joyfully and abundantly (vv. 1-2). They saw their giving as a privilege and gave “even beyond their ability” (v. 3) to partner with Paul. They understood they were merely stewards of God’s resources. Giving was a way to show their trust in Him, who provides for all our needs.

Paul used the Macedonians to encourage the Corinthians to have the same approach to giving. The Corinthians excelled “in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in . . . love.” Now they needed to “excel in this grace of giving” (v. 7).

Like the Macedonians and the believers in Mizoram, we too can reflect our Father’s generosity by giving generously out of what we have.