2 Corinthians 9
oops i forget a chapter, rewind to 2 Cor 9...
Daily Bread 2 Corinthians 9
Sowing Generously
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever." 10Now 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. 11You 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.
12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Observation:
Paul again addresses the issue of the Corinthian church’s intention to help out with the offering going back to the mother church in Jerusalem. They had been eager to make a pledge, now Paul urges them to finish what they had started. But in giving this gift, Paul uses the opportunity to expound that why and how one gives is as important as how much!
Paul’s overall theme is generosity. Paul encourages them to give generously and as they do they will reap generously. He also encourages them to be generous in their spirit as they give. This would mean that they would not give grudgingly, but give as they have purposed in their hearts. A gift given willingly from a heart of thanksgiving is as important to God as the size of the check.
Finally, Paul says that this act of giving will not only help those for whom the gift is intended, but be an evidence of the work God has done in their hearts to the rest of the world, especially a gift given willingly and cheerfully. In the world people give might in order to get something back, like attention and applause or maybe even a tax deduction. But God calls us to give from a heart that has been set free by God’s indescribable gift in Jesus Christ. When we count the incredible riches we have received through Jesus’ gift of grace and forgiveness in our lives and what that will mean for all of eternity, somehow that makes wrangling over whether we should put a ten or a twenty in the offering plate seem kind of petty.
Application:
Would someone characterize you as a generous giver? Of course this is not only reflected in our financial offering, but in all the ways we give of our time and talents and mercy. It is helpful as we review our level of generosity to reflect on God’s generosity towards us. As we reflect on God’s amazing grace that saved folks like us. As we contemplate the riches we have been given through Christ. As we think of the untold blessings in our lives as a result of knowing God through Jesus, our hearts will be moved to offer back our lives and resources back to God to be a blessing to others.
Take some time today to reflect on the “indescribable gift” God has given us in the gift of His one and only Son! Allow His grace to penetrate your heart. Find ways in your life to give willingly, cheerfully, and generously. And God will increase your store and supply of seed and enlarge your harvest. What a promise! What a generous God we serve!
Prayer: Gracious God you are the giver of every good gift from heaven above. As we receive your precious gifts, help us to respond with a generous and willing heart. Thank you for your indescribable gift you have given us through Your Son, our Lord Jesus, Amen.
Daily Bread 2 Corinthians 9
Sowing Generously
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever." 10Now 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. 11You 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.
12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Observation:
Paul again addresses the issue of the Corinthian church’s intention to help out with the offering going back to the mother church in Jerusalem. They had been eager to make a pledge, now Paul urges them to finish what they had started. But in giving this gift, Paul uses the opportunity to expound that why and how one gives is as important as how much!
Paul’s overall theme is generosity. Paul encourages them to give generously and as they do they will reap generously. He also encourages them to be generous in their spirit as they give. This would mean that they would not give grudgingly, but give as they have purposed in their hearts. A gift given willingly from a heart of thanksgiving is as important to God as the size of the check.
Finally, Paul says that this act of giving will not only help those for whom the gift is intended, but be an evidence of the work God has done in their hearts to the rest of the world, especially a gift given willingly and cheerfully. In the world people give might in order to get something back, like attention and applause or maybe even a tax deduction. But God calls us to give from a heart that has been set free by God’s indescribable gift in Jesus Christ. When we count the incredible riches we have received through Jesus’ gift of grace and forgiveness in our lives and what that will mean for all of eternity, somehow that makes wrangling over whether we should put a ten or a twenty in the offering plate seem kind of petty.
Application:
Would someone characterize you as a generous giver? Of course this is not only reflected in our financial offering, but in all the ways we give of our time and talents and mercy. It is helpful as we review our level of generosity to reflect on God’s generosity towards us. As we reflect on God’s amazing grace that saved folks like us. As we contemplate the riches we have been given through Christ. As we think of the untold blessings in our lives as a result of knowing God through Jesus, our hearts will be moved to offer back our lives and resources back to God to be a blessing to others.
Take some time today to reflect on the “indescribable gift” God has given us in the gift of His one and only Son! Allow His grace to penetrate your heart. Find ways in your life to give willingly, cheerfully, and generously. And God will increase your store and supply of seed and enlarge your harvest. What a promise! What a generous God we serve!
Prayer: Gracious God you are the giver of every good gift from heaven above. As we receive your precious gifts, help us to respond with a generous and willing heart. Thank you for your indescribable gift you have given us through Your Son, our Lord Jesus, Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment