Riches of Their Liberality, Part V

2018-02-04

For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: (2) For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. (3) Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: (4) Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. (5) Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. (2 Corinthians 9:1-5)

Paul reminded them that the Corinthians were ready to give to the offering a year ago (2 Corinthians 9:2). The zeal they had at that time made Paul boast to the churches of Macedonia and caused many to get excited to give.

Paul seemed to think that their fervor had waned, perhaps because of rocky relations with Paul or maybe because of personal sin. Paul was warning that if they did not get ready to do what they said they would do, there would be an extremely embarrassing moment for everyone involved (2 Corinthians 9:4)! These Macedonians, who were encouraged by the Corinthian zeal, got together to give a huge offering even in the midst of their persecution and poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). What a big disappointment it would be if these men, by whom they were inspired to give, fell short and did nothing for the offering!

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. (7) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (9) (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. (10) Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) (11) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. (12) For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; (13) 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; (14) And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. (15) Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

Here are some principles of giving we can take away from the entire discussion in 2 Corinthians 8-9.

  1. You reap what you sow. Giving is an investment. If you are cheap, the other is not helped, and you are spiritually weaker and without reward. 2 Corinthians 9:6
  2. Giving must be voluntary. God loves it when we give because we want to give. Otherwise, the forced giver holds a grudge, and the spiritual unity between believers is dissolved. God rejects the spiritual offering that is forced. 2 Corinthians 9:7
  3. God is the ultimate giver. By God’s grace, we receive the things that we give away. We always have sufficient; this is an opportunity to respond to the grace of God. We have “all sufficiency in all things,” meaning that we are fully equipped to be the givers God wants us to be. 2 Corinthians 9:8
  4. Giving is a trait of the righteous man. Quoting Psalm 112:9. This is a part of a larger work considering the ways of the righteous man. We are not complete without giving to others. 2 Corinthians 9:9
  5. Giving causes thanksgiving to God. Because of the generosity of God toward us, we give to others as a way to thank God for His goodness. 2 Corinthians 9:10-12
  6. Giving provides for the needs of others. This might be obvious, but what is not as obvious is that this is the way God provides for the needs of others! 2 Corinthians 9:12
  7. Giving is a way for people to see that we believe the Gospel. 2 Corinthians 9:13
  8. Giving is a way for people to be edified. Not only the recipient of the gift is edified; all the believers see God at work and praise Him for the work that was done. 2 Corinthians 9:14-15