August
22nd 2
Corinthians 9 Be prepared to give
1:
For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for
me to write to you: 2: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for
which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a
year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3: Yet have I sent
the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this
behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4: Lest haply if they of
Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not,
ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 5: Therefore I
thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go
before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had
notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty,
and not as of covetousness. 6: But this I say, He which soweth
sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully
shall reap also bountifully. 7: Every man according as he purposeth
in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for
God loveth a cheerful giver. 8: And God is able to make all grace
abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all
things, may abound to every good work: 9: (As it is written, He hath
dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness
remaineth for ever. 10: Now he that ministereth seed to the sower
both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and
increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11: Being enriched in
every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us
thanksgiving to God. 12: For the administration of this service not
only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many
thanksgivings unto God; 13: Whiles by the experiment of this
ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the
gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and
unto all men; 14: And by their prayer for you, which long after you
for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15: Thanks be unto God for his
unspeakable gift.
In
this chapter Paul begins by saying that as far as ministering to the
needs of the believers in the church that he has nothing to say
because he knows that they are very busy in the service of God. In
fact he says I’m so proud of you that l have been boasting to the
Macedonians about you and your zeal to serve God has been an example
to all who hear of it. However, l sent the brothers to you to make
sure that out boasting was not in vain. And l didn’t want you to be
unready when l arrive to receive your gifts for the famine relief. I
just want to encourage you by saying that the farmer that sows much
seed receives a bigger harvest. So let every man give according to
what he thinks is right, not grumbling or thinking that he is obliged
because the Lord loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all
his grace overflow to you so that you will always have everything
that you need and will abound to every good work. (As is it written
He that gives much he has given to the poor and his righteousness
remains forever. The one who gives seed to the sower is the provider
of bread for food and the seed is multiplied and the harvest is the
fruit of righteous deeds) And being abundant in every good work you
will be enriched by the Lord and this will cause you to give thanks
to God. This service to God not only supplies the needs of the
believers but it is fruitful too in bringing much thanksgiving to
God. Those who receive the relief will also give glory to God because
of your obedience to the Gospel of Christ. The benefits of your
giving as so many. They will even begin to pray for you and to thank
God for the overflowing grace of God in you. May thanks be unto God
for his indescribable gift.
- How should Christians view giving?
- What are the blessings of giving?
- What is the ultimate purpose of giving?
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