2 Corinthians 9

I have been looking for this song for the longest time on Youtube so that I can share with all of you.  And I finally found it! 🙂

And this song (although not 100% theologically sound) is just so apt for the sharing that I have for today’s passage…

Bible Passage:  2 Corinthians 9

But maybe before I share the song, let me just say I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Lord for people who are willing to give to the Lord so that people like me can benefit …

The church at Corinth had many faults – but giving generously and willingly was not one of them.  And there is much for me to learn about giving…  Christian giving.   In our journey through the New Testament, we have seen several examples of those who truly understood what giving really meant.

We have the Church at Jerusalem when it first started – things were shared sold and shared in common.  The church at Macedonia gave above their means despite their own poverty.  Then there were people like Dorcas, Priscilla and Aquila…  They all gave willingly and generously.  But there are some who did not share their spirit – and gave sparingly and begrudgingly.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 to see what Paul said to them….

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

“ He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

¹⁰ Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, ¹¹ while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

There are a few key points about “Giving” that I can find here…

The Right Motive Behind Our Giving

With all the doom and gloom in the financial markets around the world, it is easy to be caught up in it and withdraw ourselves from giving generously.

But two verses came to mind….

“… For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” ~ Matt 6:32-33

“Blessed is he who considers the poor;
The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.” ~ Psa 41:1

These verses are not new to us.  We know that God is the one who has provided for us and will be providing for us for our tomorrows as well. Despite what goes on around, He can take care of us.  And there is also a promise that if we can and give to those in need, God will not let us down.

If we read 2 Cor 9:6-11 carefully, it tells us that we have sufficiency in all things.  In other words, we have what we need and are not lacking.  Not only this… we also have an abundance for every good work!

Wow!  Notice it is not an abundance for ourselves but for every good work – which includes reaching out to people and bringing them to Jesus!  God is the one who has supplied the seed, and He will be the one to multiply what is sown.  And…

Yep.. there seems to be no end to what God is doing and giving….

And to those who give, God will give them more opportunities to give more!

Giving should not always be equated with money.  It could also be the giving of our time, effort and love.  When we give cheerfully, God will give us the ability to give more.  When we do not give, so are the fewer opportunities for us to participate in this joyful work!

The Glory God Receives in Our Giving

I usually focus on the ‘sow abundantly, reap abundantly’ in the lesson of giving.  But reading today’s passage reminded me that in our giving, God is glorified.

Jesus said,

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~ Matt 5:16

When we given generously, this is an opportunity for our light to shine before men.. and they will glorify our Father in heaven!

Our giving can open doors for the message of the Gospel to be spread far and wide… and this will also show that God’s grace is active in our lives.  In giving, it shows what kind of person we are… are we caring?  Do we reflect Jesus in our lives?  Or do people see us as self centred, self righteous and not interested in the work of God?

We have mentioned it before (and also sung it before) that “We are the only Jesus some will ever see”…. meaning that our lives are sometimes the only Christianity that some people will ever see.  They may not have come to church before or read the Bible or our gospel tracts… but the way we conduct our lives will show them who Jesus is… and giving is one big thing that Jesus does.  And is still doing in our lives today.

What about us?

The Difference Our Giving Makes

Sometimes we do not realize how big a difference our giving (no matter how small) makes.

Paul mentioned that the zeal of the Corinthians in giving has stirred up the majority (verse 2).

That is what giving does.  It can influence and encourage others to give as well.  And this will in turn encourage more to do so.

We may give generously … but the challenge today is to be a cheerful giver.

And very often, the kind of giver we are depends on what kind of recipients we are.

We all receive the generous giving our our Lord Jesus in our lives.  But how do we receive it?

Do we receive it gratefully and in turn, be inspired to gracefully give to others as well?  Or do we receive the grace of God with not much thankfulness?  Because this will also be reflected in how we give as well.

Giving can make such a huge difference in the lives of others.

The song that I spoke about in the beginning was called “Thank you”.

The chorus starts off this way…

“Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.”

When you listen to the song later and look at the lyrics, you will find that the song writer was writing about people who are brought to the Lord through the generosity of others.  He talks about those who will give all of themselves to teach others. He speaks about those who will go around the world and give the gospel message to those that many do not care.

And actions of giving, big or small… they are seen by the Lord …

And they can have a great impact in the lives of those who have been given.

I cannot help tearing up each time I hear this song (my daughter asked me… are you crying?).  This is because I kept on thinking of those who have given much to me and how they have truly made a huge difference in my life.  Because of them, I am where I am now before the Lord.

Maybe you have those who have also selflessly given much to you.  And helped you in your life of faith.

The lesson now is to go forth and be a giver as well… after all, Jesus first gave everything to us… we are now merely giving back what we have received from Him.

Thank you for giving to the Lord!  I am a life that was changed!