2 Corinthians 9 - God Doesn't NEED our Money!
9 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
Once again Paul turns to the matter of the financial gift the Corinthians pledged to give to the church in Jerusalem, which was very poor. Paul had used the Corinthians as an example to the church in Philippi in order to encourage them to give as well. Paul does not want to look foolish if he sent someone to collect the gift, if the Corinthians had not been prepared. It reminds me when Jesus says,
"All you need to say is "yes" or "no", because anything beyond that comes from the devil." - Matthew 5:37
Paul also doesn't want the Corinthians to give begrudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver. It is not as if God doesn't need our money, but He gives us the opportunity to participate in His kingdom work through the giving of our financial resources. The investments we make in God's kingdom work will pay eternal dividends. It is unlike any investment or anything we can spend money here on earth.
Generosity Encouraged
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, 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: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their 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 enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Chapter 9 in Corinthians is Paul's most extensive teaching on giving. There are enough principles in these verse for a whole sermon series on what it means to be generous, as we respond to God's immeasurable grace.
Here are those principles:
1. Whoever sows sparingly reaps sparingly. This is a natural law which also applies in spiritual matters. You can't outgive God. As mentioned before if we open our hearts to give generously, God increases our capacity to give.
2. We should give intentionally and pray about what is the right amount. This shouldn't be a casual decision. If you are a married couple, you and your spouse should talk about what portion of your income you want to give back to God. And pray about what portion to set aside for God's work in the local church and around the world.
3. God doesn't want us to be reluctant in our giving, or out of obligation. He wants us to freely and cheerfully give. It would sort of be like if someone gave you a gift, but you knew they were resentful about it. They gave to you out of obligation. It would not feel like a true gift. It's meaning would be robbed. The attitude of the gift giver is even more important than the gift itself.
4. God will increase your ability to give. God will fund what he wants to get done on this earth in one way or another. We "get to give". We get to receive the joy when we are set free from materialism and craving to need more and more and more.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others 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!
When we give generously to God's kingdom projects, it shows the world where our true allegiance is. Martin Luther said, "The last thing to be converted is the pocketbook."
When we give to others it also grows the bond of our friendship with that person. Having been on both ends of this equation, I can testify that being able to help someone, or an organization in need is very rewarding. Many churches in America have ample means, although many traditional churches are shrinking and having to close their doors.
There are many places and churches around the world which are growing exponentially and don't yet have the resources they need to grow more. There is one church on earth, the church of Jesus Christ. When one part of the body suffers, every other part suffers. The church is never about one church, one pastor, one denomination, or one movement. We belong to each other and we should care and support each other just as we would care and support our own churches.
Where is God calling you to give generously in response the great gift he has given you!
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