2 Corinthians 8

 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Paul was commending one church that had little but cared for another church that had nothing and was facing famine.  So no church is independent of another.  Perhaps today, when we hear of the Christians in Mosul Iraq being given the choice to a. Convert to Islam, b. be killed, or c. leave, we should have compassion on them.  Macedonia was about 1,000 miles from Jerusalem but was caring for the brothers and sisters in Christ there.  When we become Christians, we are called to not just care about ourselves, but to care for others.
     The reason for caring for others is that God cares for us when we were far away.  When we sinned against Him we drove Him far away, but He still came for us.  He left the riches of heaven to meet our need.  Jesus said the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).  Jesus gave Himself for us.  Part of being a Christian is giving- even giving for strangers or people in other lands.  It means sacrificing something for the higher cause of God. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your example of giving and the example of others who follow in your footsteps.  Give me the grace to give.