2 Corinthians 9
“Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for 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.” (2 Corinthians 9:1-2)
Paul is continuing his conversation about giving to the Corinthians. It is believed that Paul may be speaking sarcastically here to the Corinthians because he is giving them more instruction, however he is telling them that while he is giving them the instruction it really is unnecessary because he just knows that they are ready to give. He goes on to tell them that he will send Titus and the other fellow on to pick up their offering. He wants to save them the embarrassment of not having it ready if he waited until they had Macedonians with them to pick it up.
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 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.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
I know we have all heard God loves a cheerful giver. Paul is explaining to them that if they don’t give abundantly they will not receive the blessings of abundant giving. But God wants them to give from their heart, not out of compulsion or just because Paul says so. But that if they can find it in their heart to give, God is able, and he will bless them with his grace. Have you ever explored that thought? God blesses our giving in many different ways. Sometimes it is a spiritual blessing where we just feel better about ourselves or our circumstances. It’s not something you can always explain. And sometimes it is a material blessing, that what we have given multiplies and we are amazed at what the return is. I had something like that happen years ago, as a young woman. I had a job where I really was barely making enough money to make ends meet. I mean they were just barely meeting month to month and I needed a new job. Yet, I truly felt convicted to begin tithing which I was not doing at the time. So I took my 10% out to tithe and I prayed really really hard over that tithe. A few weeks later, after applying for some other jobs I had an interview scheduled and I truly did not have enough gas in my car to get to my interview that afternoon. I had no idea what I would do. When the mail ran I walked out to the mailbox still wondering how I would get to my interview, and there was an insurance refund check in my mailbox for enough to cover my gas money and a little for groceries for that month. I was stunned. I went to the interview and I got the job which almost doubled my salary at the time. Now some people may call that coincidence, but I knew that God had blessed me with that check at just the right time which in turn blessed me with the job making more money.
“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. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)
It’s a cycle, God supplies us with the seed, with jobs, and our means to make a living and when we give back, he multiplies our blessings which produces gratefulness in us which makes us want to give more, which makes us more and more thankful!
“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
We thank you God for your Son, and for your blessings! We are grateful for what you have given, what you do for us, for all of the blessings that you bestow upon us as we give back to You!
Please pray for the educators and the students today. No one really knows what to expect and everyone really is doing the best they can.
Restore 