9:1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service
to the saints,
9:2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them
of Macedonia,
that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred
up very many of them.
9:3 But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may
not be in vain in this respect,
that, just as I said, you may be prepared,
9:4 so that I won't by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia
and find you unprepared,
we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident
boasting.
9:5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they
would go before to you,
and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before,
that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of
greediness.
The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
9:6 Remember this:
he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 9:7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart;
not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you,
always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good
work.
9:9 As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given
to the poor. His righteousness remains forever." (Ps 112:9) 9:10 Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food,
supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of
your righteousness;
9:11 you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works
through us thanksgiving to God.
9:12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up
for lack among the saints,
but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;
9:13 seeing that through the proof given by this service,
they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel
of Christ,
and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;
9:14 while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf,
yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
9:15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
Discussion Questions
vs 1-5 What words describe the Corinthian's attitude towards giving?
If you were to motivate people to give, what kind of hinderances and
reluctance would you have to overcome?
How do you keep aware of the needs of the saints?
What techniques will help to make us reliable givers?
vs 6-15 How much does Paul advocate people give?
Does he even mention tithing (10% giving)?
What benefits may the giver receive from his generosity?
Besides meeting material needs, how might meeting material needs benefit
the ministry spiritually?
Comments
vs 1-5 Paul is not writing to reluctant givers. And the emphasis
in this chapter, as in the previous one is enthusiasm in giving. Our enthusiasm
can stir others to action. As so can the enthusiasm of others stir us to
action. Of course such enthusiasm should be directed towards Christlike
behavior. For it is easy for the flesh to get all enthusiastic about
things of the flesh. It's easy to get people all enthusiastic about committing
violence to others, but not so easy to get them all enthusiastic about
caring for others and meeting the needs of others. Why is that? Because
of the sinful nature. For the same reason it's easy to quench the enthusiasm
of those who are doing good. For to do good is a struggle against the flesh.
But it's not so easy to quench the enthusiasm of those who do violence.
vs 6-15 When considering giving, the principle we should have
in mind is not legalistic tithing. For that is living under the law. But
rather under New Covenant living, the principle we should keep in mind
is the principle of sowing and reaping as Paul teaches here. The New Testament
never applies tithing to Gentiles, and it is never mentioned at all in
Paul's letters except in Hebrews 7 with reference to the Law of Moses.
Rather believers are motivated to give not legalistically or reluctantly,
but as God has put on their hearts. How much should one give? Paul speaks
of no percentage, nor should preachers demand that people give a certain
percentage. For such is living under the law. Rather Christians should
think that the more they sow, the more they will reap. This free and gracious
attitude in giving is much different than under the compulsion of legalistic
tithing, as some churches advocate today. God has freed us up from the
law so that we may serve graciously, just as He has been gracious to us.
Thus he gives us the opportunity to imitate Him in our service to others.
Yes, it is true that we were made God's servants. "And he died for
all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him
who died for them and was raised again." 2Cor 5:15. But he has
given us much freedom as to how we carry out such service. And as we walk
in the Spirit, walking as Christ walked, he guides us in such service.
But what motivations do we have for serving God, if we are not under
condemnation? Paul speaks nothing of condemnation here, but rather encourages
the Corinthians in their service by pointing to the effects of their service.
For being in service to God, we will experience God helping us in such
service. However the promise in verses 10 and 11 about being made rich
must be taken in context. The context says that God will provide such richness
not that we spend it on ourselves, but rather so that we may be generous
on every occasion. There are those who motivate people to give out of selfish
reasons - in order that they may become rich to spend it on themselves.
Such an attitude is not in keeping with the promise. It is meant for generous
type of people.
One of the rich outworkings of exercising generosity is the thanksgiving
it brings to God. This is also a reminder that those who receive should
be grateful. For this gratefulness glorifies God. I remembering hearing
a minister criticizing a person who gave $30,000 to the church, questioning
his motivation and proposing that such a man simply did it in the flesh
and will have no reward for his gift, whereas he really had no basis for
making such a judgement. This is a contemptuous, ungrateful attitude devoid
of thanksgiving to God.
Generosity is not only an exercise of faith, but a revealing of our
convictions, which communicates conviction to others. Genuine faith is
communicated in sacrificial giving of ourselves in ministry.
Along with gratefulness and thanksgiving to God, there will be rewards
for the giver. For as he mentioned, God supplies the generous that they
may exercise more generosity. But also the receivers will also pray for
the giver. As they have no material things to give back, the giver is even
more blessed by their spiritual gift of prayer.