| "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God" |
What is Paul telling us in this verse? Paul is simply stating that if we give,
God is able to give more so we can perform other good works for His glory.
In other words, God the seer of all things sees you giving and thus sees to it
that your generosity will not cause you to suffer, but to prosper.
Paul offered to the Corinthians a wonderful summery of why and how
Christians are to give and share in the blessings the Lord has given to us.
Let’s look further at 2 Corinthians for more insight. First we ask, which
Christians are supposed to be generous? Should it be only, the rich
Christians, who have more than they could ever use? Or should we give
only once in a while if you have a little to spare? Or should it be the poorest
Christians who share when they see someone is in need? We all are called
to contribute to the Lords cause. Whether we feed the hungry, clothe the
poor, or help serve in a local church to keep things going. To give; is a fruit
of the spirit, a part of being His lights here on earth.
Look at the church in Macedonia, as an example, of how even poor
Christians wanted to take part in this gift from the very beginning of the
church. They were notoriously poor, yet they asked for the privilege of being
allowed to give (2 Cor 8:4) out of their severe poverty (2 Cor 8:2).
In what spirit does Paul tell us we are to give. He writes we are to give
willingly (2 Cor 8:12; 9:2) and cheerfully. We should not give out of necessity
and be grudgingly about it (2 Cor 9:7). When we give, we should feel it is a
privilege to share what God has blessed us with, and be happy to take part
in His good work. "More than that, we should feel that it is a most
appropriate response to God’s "indescribable gift", His own Son" (2 Cor 9:15).
Giving comes from the heart. Our Lord judges the hearts. To a Christian,
the gift of giving, is one of our most important fruits of the Spirit. Not only
does it test our sincerity towards the Lord and others (2 Cor 8:7,8), but it is
considered to be a gauge of our spiritual health.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where
thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
As Christian givers, we can trust in, some sure fire results from the Lord.
Look at 1 Cor 9:12-15 and see how God is glorified by us when we give in
His name. "For the administration of this service not only supplies the
needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to
God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the
obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal
sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for
you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His
indescribable gift!"
Giving is a ministry and a gift unto the Lord. Paul makes it clear that giving
will lead to abundance. A cheerful giver will experience the Lords love in a
special way (2 Cor 9:7)."Give generously to him and do so without a
grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in
all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” (Deuteronomy 15:10)
Let us as Christians enjoy the spiritual blessing of participating in a rich
harvest of righteousness for the Lord (2 Cor 9:10). Let us pray for a giving
heart:
God is able to give more so we can perform other good works for His glory.
In other words, God the seer of all things sees you giving and thus sees to it
that your generosity will not cause you to suffer, but to prosper.
Paul offered to the Corinthians a wonderful summery of why and how
Christians are to give and share in the blessings the Lord has given to us.
Let’s look further at 2 Corinthians for more insight. First we ask, which
Christians are supposed to be generous? Should it be only, the rich
Christians, who have more than they could ever use? Or should we give
only once in a while if you have a little to spare? Or should it be the poorest
Christians who share when they see someone is in need? We all are called
to contribute to the Lords cause. Whether we feed the hungry, clothe the
poor, or help serve in a local church to keep things going. To give; is a fruit
of the spirit, a part of being His lights here on earth.
Look at the church in Macedonia, as an example, of how even poor
Christians wanted to take part in this gift from the very beginning of the
church. They were notoriously poor, yet they asked for the privilege of being
allowed to give (2 Cor 8:4) out of their severe poverty (2 Cor 8:2).
In what spirit does Paul tell us we are to give. He writes we are to give
willingly (2 Cor 8:12; 9:2) and cheerfully. We should not give out of necessity
and be grudgingly about it (2 Cor 9:7). When we give, we should feel it is a
privilege to share what God has blessed us with, and be happy to take part
in His good work. "More than that, we should feel that it is a most
appropriate response to God’s "indescribable gift", His own Son" (2 Cor 9:15).
Giving comes from the heart. Our Lord judges the hearts. To a Christian,
the gift of giving, is one of our most important fruits of the Spirit. Not only
does it test our sincerity towards the Lord and others (2 Cor 8:7,8), but it is
considered to be a gauge of our spiritual health.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where
thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
As Christian givers, we can trust in, some sure fire results from the Lord.
Look at 1 Cor 9:12-15 and see how God is glorified by us when we give in
His name. "For the administration of this service not only supplies the
needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to
God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the
obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal
sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for
you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His
indescribable gift!"
Giving is a ministry and a gift unto the Lord. Paul makes it clear that giving
will lead to abundance. A cheerful giver will experience the Lords love in a
special way (2 Cor 9:7)."Give generously to him and do so without a
grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in
all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” (Deuteronomy 15:10)
Let us as Christians enjoy the spiritual blessing of participating in a rich
harvest of righteousness for the Lord (2 Cor 9:10). Let us pray for a giving
heart:
| Bless be all who worship You mighty Lord, the most gracious giver of all. Of your goodness, give us a heart to give as Your Spirit would move us; with Your love, inspire us to give creatively; by Your Spirit, guide us to those in need; by Your power, to give and glorify You with our kindness, as You are so kind to us. Protect us that we may make the right choices when we give; in your mercy, receive our prayers now and always. In Your precious name we pray. Amen. |
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