2 Corinthians 9
1There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2For 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. 3But 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. 4For 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. 5So 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.
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."[a] 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!
Footnotes:
[a] 2 Corinthians 9:9 Psalm 112:9
3 comments:
Hi Guys. Thanks for all your prayers, emails and phone calls yesterday. The Lord has put in place all that needs to be there to fix the problems, now I just have to trust in Him that it willbe accomplished according to is will.
2 Cor 9
15Thank God for his Son--a gift too wonderful for words!
Amazing and enough said. Paul gives us another lesson in this chapter on giving. I have known so many people ove the years who get so caught up in the how much of giving (especially the 10% thing). As far as I can understand, the 10% was derivedt o support the Levitican priesthood in the old testament. IN our times, the best I can figure is as Paul describes here is to give cheerfully and sacrifically.
Father God, create in us a heart that gives in a way that honors and glorifies you. And as Paul said, thank you for Your Son that we can even sit here and have this wonderful interaction; so amazing!
In Christ,
c
i am definitely one of those that gets caught up in the "what does 10% really mean". i really like verse 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.".
too often i am "doing math" so to speak when it comes to my giving. and this is SO in conflict to verse 7. i also agree what clark says about giving cheerfully and SACRIFICIALLY. so i guess what that means to me is that as i give, i should be full of joy, desiring to give to others. i think that comes in monetary means but also in sharing/giving of time, treasures, and even simple ways. last night it was raining and co-wroker of mine was walking to the subway with no umbrella. so, i gave him a jacket i had in my office. i dont write this to make me sound great, but rather, i felt a tug on my heart saying "what's the matter with you...here is someone you interact with daily...and you arent going to help them with a coat or umbrella...who cares if you dont get it back". in a way, i was able to share cheerfully and sacrificially, even if on a small scale.
i also
2 Cor 9
As we enter the holiday season, it is easy as everyone has said to get caught up in the financial tangle that causes worry/pain/stress/etc. While this chapter does stress giving, I think it also stresses faith, between the lines. While we are asked to give cheerfully and sacrificially, we must remember that we are giving to a loving, giving God,
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.
I think that as God shapes our heart to be better givers, we're also learning how to be better faithful servants, i.e. by giving sacrficially, we learn again how God comes through when we need him. Also, we learn how to appreciate those incredible gifts that God has given us even more. As I've gotten older I can see how God has shaped me into someone who needs and wants very little.
Father, help us to continue to be reshaped by the fire into your image. Help us to share the incredible gifts that you have given us and help make our love for you and others stronger in the process. We are incredibly thankful for your innumerous gifts and ask only that you give us one more thing this holiday season, a grateful heart.
In Jesus' name
Amen
crb
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