“2 Corinthians 9”

Sunday, April 09, 2017

The first section of this chapter deals with some of the details about how the financial gift for others was going to be handled. He simply wants them to have everything ready when he returns so that no collections have to be made then (remember 1 Corinthians 16:2?).

He reminds them that their example has been an encouragement to others in this area of giving. A good example always challenges others in a positive way. He uses words and phrases of praise, like willingness, ready, zeal, and generous to describe their attitude.

A general principle of giving, either in individuals helping others or through what the local church does, is stated in verse 5 when he says that it should be given “as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation” (verse 5). He continues on to say that our giving should not be “of necessity” (verse 7), that is, because we feel like we have to give but don’t really want to. And, it is in that context that Paul states that “God loves a cheerful giver” (verse 7).

This chapter is a living, breathing example of those who understood the attitude of Christ when He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Children do not understand this and it is a sign of real maturity in life when we finally catch on to the blessing of helping others and quit caring about what we can get out of it.

“’Give, and it shall be given unto you,’ was our Lord’s promise; and it still holds true (Luke 6:38). The ‘good measure’ He gives back to us is not always money or material goods, but it is always worth far more than we gave. Giving is not (merely) something we do, but something we are. Giving is a way of life for the Christian who understands the grace of God. The world simply does not understand a statement like Proverbs 11:24, ‘There is one who scatters, yet increases more’ and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty.' In our giving, our motive is not ‘to get something,’ but receiving God's blessings is one of the fringe benefits.” (adapted from Warren Wiersbe, Be Encouraged, page 97).

--Roger Hillis

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