Daily Bread 2011 - 2 Corinthians 9
Daily Bread 2011 – 2 Corinthians 9
Sowing Generously
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And 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. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”10 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. 11 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. 12 This 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. 13 Because 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. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
What Does This Mean?
Paul continues to remind the Corinthian church of the eager commitment they made to help the Church Catholic (universal) with their financial gift. In fact, Paul had used them as an example to spur the church in Macedonia to action. Now he urges them to complete what they had committed to.
Within these verses Paul gives us several principles by which to understand the spiritual discipline of “generous giving”. First, he teaches them to give generously, not sparingly or in a stingy matter. He adds that those who give generously, will also reap generously (quite a promise don’t you think!). Secondly, Paul says that they should not give out of obligation, or reluctantly. God does not want us to give as if, “We were doing Him a favor!” Finally, Paul gives them an incredible promise. He says “God is able to make all grace abound to you, that in all things, at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Paul concludes by saying, in this act of obedience that not only will their gift meet felt needs, but it will also be an excellent example of living out their faith in real and tangible ways.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Notice all the “all’s” in this passage! This uplifts a principle I mentioned yesterday, “we cannot out-give God!” God has lavished His grace upon us in so many ways, that giving financially is just one way to respond to God’s amazing grace. As we consider the “indescribable gift of Jesus”, we will be able to be generous givers as Paul has outlined in this chapter. It will seem like nothing to give in accordance with the means God has given us, and will become one of our extreme joys in living out our faith.
Sometimes we miss out on these principles in the modern-day church. Giving becomes something pastors are afraid to talk about for fear that “people will get turned off”! But by not teaching and preaching on giving throughout the Church year, we rob people of the joy of giving. When we begin to understand the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ to us, we will not be asking ourselves how much we should give, but how much should we keep! As we open up our hearts to this approach, we put ourselves in a position to receive the promise given to those who give generously, “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” vv.10-11
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the indescribable gift you have lavished upon us in Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we learn to appreciate this incredible gift, open up our hearts to be generous givers, sharing with all those in need, so you can enlarge our capacity to given even more for Your glory, Amen.
Sowing Generously
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And 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. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”10 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. 11 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. 12 This 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. 13 Because 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. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
What Does This Mean?
Paul continues to remind the Corinthian church of the eager commitment they made to help the Church Catholic (universal) with their financial gift. In fact, Paul had used them as an example to spur the church in Macedonia to action. Now he urges them to complete what they had committed to.
Within these verses Paul gives us several principles by which to understand the spiritual discipline of “generous giving”. First, he teaches them to give generously, not sparingly or in a stingy matter. He adds that those who give generously, will also reap generously (quite a promise don’t you think!). Secondly, Paul says that they should not give out of obligation, or reluctantly. God does not want us to give as if, “We were doing Him a favor!” Finally, Paul gives them an incredible promise. He says “God is able to make all grace abound to you, that in all things, at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Paul concludes by saying, in this act of obedience that not only will their gift meet felt needs, but it will also be an excellent example of living out their faith in real and tangible ways.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Notice all the “all’s” in this passage! This uplifts a principle I mentioned yesterday, “we cannot out-give God!” God has lavished His grace upon us in so many ways, that giving financially is just one way to respond to God’s amazing grace. As we consider the “indescribable gift of Jesus”, we will be able to be generous givers as Paul has outlined in this chapter. It will seem like nothing to give in accordance with the means God has given us, and will become one of our extreme joys in living out our faith.
Sometimes we miss out on these principles in the modern-day church. Giving becomes something pastors are afraid to talk about for fear that “people will get turned off”! But by not teaching and preaching on giving throughout the Church year, we rob people of the joy of giving. When we begin to understand the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ to us, we will not be asking ourselves how much we should give, but how much should we keep! As we open up our hearts to this approach, we put ourselves in a position to receive the promise given to those who give generously, “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” vv.10-11
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the indescribable gift you have lavished upon us in Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we learn to appreciate this incredible gift, open up our hearts to be generous givers, sharing with all those in need, so you can enlarge our capacity to given even more for Your glory, Amen.
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