Giving is a touchy subject with many people. In today’s world we have almost become identified with the things we possess. So if someone, messes with our stuff or our money they are messing with us.
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians while on his third missionary journey. Among other things he was reminding the churches of Corinth about the offering they were to collect for the poor of Judea. His reminder is contained in Chapter’s 8 & 9. In those chapters he tells us some important things about giving.
A Principled Mind
Paul reminds us that the one who sows sparingly will also read sparing. (V. 6) He recognizes a spiritual principle involved in giving. The principle comes from the long wisdom tradition of the Hebrew Scriptures:
[Pr 11:24-25 ESV ] One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Paul tells us that giving is like a farmer sowing seed in his field. The harvest you receive will be in proportion to what you give. Some have taken this to the extreme and taught that God is obligated to multiply your monetary gift. But the harvest is not always monetary, it comes in different ways:
• Satisfaction being an instrument of God
• Destroy the grip of greed and materialism
• We get to be partners with God in blessing others
• We are investing in something beyond ourselves
• We help strengthen families
• People come to know Christ
• People are given hope
v. 10 reminds us that we can be generous because God is the one who has given us the seed we sow. God gives us the seed for our benefit, and gives us seed to give to others, so we should give it. God provides it all!
The Principle is this: When I give, I am enriched in more ways than I can comprehend. When I give I am not diminished in any way I am enriched. The Principled giver knows that.
A Joyful Heart
God loves a cheerful giver.
God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. (MSG)
Cheerful translates the Greek word “hilaros” hilarious, cheerful, joyful, merry; this is the only place this word is used in the New Testament. It is the opposite of being a grudgingly or reluctantly giver; someone who is glad to do so.
“Laughter is an instant vacation. Giving is a two-week cruise with pay.”
— Bob Hope, entertainer; source: Hoyt Hilsman, Hemispheres (December 1999), p.50
The joy of giving comes from knowing the results of our giving. 2 Cor 8:7 calls giving a grace that we excel in just like of gifts of God’s grace, spiritual gifts.
It results in thankfulness. The saints will glorify and thank God because of their generosity. Our giving can increase the thanks which flows to God. Whenever we give others are helped and they give thanks to God. Our giving increases the thanks that flows to God.
A Dedicated Will
Give as you have made up your mind (v. 7)
Our giving is not to be based entirely on emotion, but a reasoned, sacrificial gift. Think about it, think about what you give and then give it. This is not to say our heart should not be involved, but once we have determined what we will give we give it!
When we make a decision and follow through with it, we demonstrate the validity of the gospel
[2 Co 9:13b ] …they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ….
When we decide to be givers to help alleviate the hardships of others we demonstrate the truth of the gospel, we live as Jesus did. Jesus left everything to come and give his all for us. And now we give of our resources to help others.
[Jn 3:16 ESV ] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
God is a giver. He gave us the universe, the earth, our lives, our strength, our intelligence, our skill, our last breath. Giving brings pleasure to God. We are never more like God that when we give. When we give it will bring us pleasure.
What can you give today?
1 Pingback