Note 12 at 2 Cor. 8:15: This is a quotation from Exodus 16:18 (see O.T. Scripture Cited, above). Paul is continuing to make the point that God uses the prosperity of some to make up the deficiencies of others. Again "equality" in sharing is stressed. The Simple English version translates this verse, "It is like this scripture: The man who gathered much did not have too much, and the man who gathered a small amount did not have too little."

Communism professed this ideology but it missed the indispensable element of God's kind of love. The Communist system was based on greed and was therefore doomed to failure. Only in the context of true Christian love can GIFTS from the rich given to the poor provide a true benefit.