Misers or Meddlers

A common name for this meal that we share together weekly is communion. This is a rendering of the Greek word koinonia, which has a range of meanings and possible translations.

God gives to us in this meal, and ultimately, He has nothing to give but Himself—and so that is what He in fact gives. He gives us Himself, and we celebrate koinonia by giving and receiving. We are participating in what He does, and we are imitating what He does. This is right at the center of the Christian life, this giving and receiving.

The idea is to have this which is at the center spread out into the corners. Giving and receiving at the heart is what enables giving and receiving at the fingertips. Notice this: “For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.” (Romans 15:26). The word rendered contribution is koinonia. “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16). The word translated communicate is related to koinonia. “Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men” (2 Cor. 9:13). The word distribution is koinonia.

Notice all the ways that the giving and receiving at the heart of our worship extends out to the edges of our lives. We partake of bread and wine, and we also—doing the same essential thing—encourage one another, babysit, mow a lawn, donate to the deacons’ fund, volunteer, attend a dull committee meeting for Jesus, and so on. That is, this is what we are doing when we are walking in faith.

If we are not grasping the heart of koinonia, we will either give or not give to others externally. If we do not give, then we are being misers, skinflints, pinchfisted, and will call it all prudence. If we do give, but not in the Spirit of Christ, then we will be meddlers, busybodies, uplifters, and will call it love. But Paul insisted you could give absolutely everything away to the poor, and be a spiritual zero (1 Cor. 13:3). Outside of the kindness and koinonia of Christ, it will be misers or meddlers. But what is set before us is body life.

So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.