GIVING CHEERFULLY

Chapter 9 represents the conclusion of Paul's specific appeal about the gift he was collecting for Jerusalem. While it remains very personal, with references to the specifics of their life and examples they would know, Paul also makes some broad, timeless points - some of which have become "classic giving texts" within the Christian tradition. We'll sift through both together, so let's read 2 Cor 9:1-15 ...

2 COR 9:1-5

1 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.

• "IT IS SUPERFLUOUS" - Now there's a new word: "superfluous" ... which in other translations reads as "unnecessary" or simply "there is no need for me to write to you." Since Paul has just written quite a bit about this, what is it exactly that he says they already know?

• "YOUR READINESS" - In verses 2-4, Paul implies that he's been talking about the Corinthians behind their backs. What has he been saying about them?

• "NOT AN EXACTION" - Verse 5 is Paul's summary of how he expects their gift to be presented. What should be the kinds of things he'd expect them to be saying about the opportunity to give to the saints in Jerusalem?

2 COR 9:6-9

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, 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 having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;

his righteousness endures forever.”

• "THE POINT" - It's always nice when someone states what they want in direct terms, and Paul does that starting in verse 6. What is Paul's "point" in verse 6?

• "CHEERFUL" - Paul says that the Corinthians' gift should be done "cheerful"-ly. In short, God seems to love people who love to give (or is it when people love to give?) Hard to say exactly ... but we know that God's love isn't "earned". What - at least - does the first part of verse 7 show that giving cheerfully CANNOT mean?

• "ALL & EVERY" - Paul gives us in verse 8 a passage that makes some drastic claims! (So much so, in fact, that this is sometimes one of the mis-quoted "prosperity theology" texts used by people to say that God is almost obligated to give back more to you financially than you ever give away.) Still, this is a BOLD text - look at how Paul uses the all's (count em) and every! If Paul isn't just over-selling God's capacity to give what we need, what can we be super-confident that God WILL provide? (read carefully)

• "HE HAS GIVEN" - Verse 9 is a direct quotation from Psalm 112:9. Read the entire psalm here. What impression do you get about God when reading this psalm? How does Paul use that impression in his overall point?

2 COR 9:10-15

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

• "SEED TO THE SOWER" - Paul had just quoted from Proverbs 11:24 back in verse 6, and now he doubles down on the farming metaphor in verse 10. What is the "harvest" in this analogy? (see v 10) What does that look like according to verse 11?

• "NOT ONLY SUPPLYING" - While Paul is grateful that the needs of the saints are being met, he is also glad that something else is happening. Read, verses 12-13; what does Paul anticipate happening as a result of their generosity?

• "YOUR SUBMISSION" - Look at Paul's use of the word "submission" in verse 13 (what other translations call "obedience") from believing the gospel. Read that carefully ... then go back and re-read 2 Cor 8:9 - what seems to be the implication that Paul is making for us as believers? What is the logical assumption Paul makes about those who have received the gift of grace from God?

• YIKES! Okay, we don't even need to get to the sermon on this one, do we? There's plenty to reflect on from this simple point ... Paul ends by thanking God for his "inexpressible gift" right after pointing out all of God's grace lavished on them in Corinth. As those who've been given material wealth and spiritual resources the Corinthians could only dream of, how is God likely calling you towards a generosity towards others today?

  
  

Looking forward to Sunday with you,

Pastor Darren