A little girl was given two dollars by her father. He told her that she could do anything she wanted with one and that the other was to be given to God on Sunday at church. The girl nodded in agreement and asked if she could go to the candy store. With visions of all that she could buy with her dollar, she happily skipped toward the store, holding tightly to the two dollars in her hand. As she was skipping along, she tripped and fell and the wind blew one of the dollars into a storm drain at the curb. Picking herself up, the little girl looked at the dollar still in her hand and then at the storm drain and said, "Well, Lord, there goes your dollar."
Sadly, many of us Christians have the same attitude toward giving. First me, then God.543[1]
***
The idea of a gift was at least a year old. The Corinthians had committed to taking part in giving this gift. But now, Paul had at least some concerns about them following through. All evidence had previously shown that Corinth was worldly and fleshly. But they had received much of Paul's correction; news had come of their repentance. This was a test for the Corinthians. It hadn't been that long that their ways would have kept them from this grace. So, Paul's approach was to take them at their word; believe what they said and expect them to act accordingly.
This was a test that could offer proof of their faith and trust in Jesus. This is actually a test for most folks that consider themselves Christian. The heart toward personal giving is very telling of the role a person's faith plays in the life. If our faith is front and center of life, or, an accessory to self-centered, self-directed life, will be seen in our attitude toward giving.
***
A family sat down at the dinner table following church one Sunday.
"The sermon was boring today," said the teenage son.
"Yeah, could you believe how the pastor stumbled over the reading of the Scripture?" his sister chimed in.
"I've got to admit it was an uninspiring day," said Mother. "The choir was terrible."
Finally, father, showing his leadership, said, "Hush, you guys. Quit complaining. What did you expect for a quarter?"549[2]
***
Paul called the Macedonian gift 'the grace of God bestowed on them'. Giving was a grace from God; the idea is that giving was an honor, an undeserved gift to be able to take part in this. They freely gave; going beyond their ability. Paul used the Macedonians as an example to give the Corinthians permission to step out in faith; to give till it hurts and trust God.
Paul wasn't asking them to put themselves in poverty to deliver others from that same place. He simply advised them to use their abundance to supply another's lack and the same might be provided for you some day when you lack.
2nd Corinthians 9:1-2
Paul said he knew it wasn't necessary to write about this to the Corinthians because he knew of their willingness. Yet Paul did write, probably because he was concerned about them following through. He had already told the churches in Macedonia about the Corinthians and how giving and zealous they were. He then threw in that the Corinthians zeal to give was probably what stirred up and motivated the Macedonians.
In saying this matter is superfluous, Paul is using a 'figure of thought' (a rhetorical device called paraleipsis). This is where a writer or speaker says something that doesn't need to be talked about but then expounds on that very thing. An example might be:
"Everyone knows the value of God's word, so it's not worth spending time on. After all, it is the Living Word of the Living God. It's known to be living and active and sharper than any two edge sword; David said it is a light and a lamp to his path. This word speaks to the inner most part of each man, offering wisdom, love, grace, peace, joy and much more. Since everyone knows these things, we don't need to talk about it.
Paul is likely being facetious here in order to make a point. He obviously did feel it was necessary to write them. As far as their renowned willingness to give, Paul just got done telling them about how giving the Macedonians were. Last chapter Paul used the Macedonians as an example and there's no reason to believe the Corinthians set themselves as the example of sacrificial giving.
He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
For he gives of his bread to the poor.
(NKJV; Proverbs 22:9; 1982, Thomas Nelson)
He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
(NKJV; Proverbs 28:27; 1982, Thomas Nelson)
2 Corinthians 9:3-5
Whether Paul was boasting in any way or not, we don't know. His confidence or lack thereof, shows when he sends a contingent ahead to prepare them to present their gift. This is more playful sarcasm, acting like the Corinthians had to live up to his boasting to the Macedonians. Paul didn't want to be ashamed of his confident boasting by having a Macedonian show up and find that they weren't prepared to present any kind of gift, let alone a generous gift.
In reality, it appears the Corinthians made zealous promises and had done so when Paul first mentioned the gift. Now that it was time to actually give the money, Paul had no confidence that they could pull it off. Since they had made a generous promise he felt compelled to exhort them into giving a generous gift to back up the promise. They needed to give from the heart, joyfully, not grudging or out of obligation.
Paul had told the Corinthians some time back (1 Cor. 16:2) that they should regularly put aside some money in proportion to their income and save it up, "so that collections need not be taken when I come".
"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
(NKJV; Matthew 6:1; 1982, Thomas Nelson)
2 Corinthians 9:6
Paul uses a farming term here. You sow seed, seeing it disappear and know you'll never see it again. If the farmer sowed his seed sparingly then his harvest would be sparse. In fact, at harvest time the farmer would regret not sowing more bountifully. The farmer that sowed bountifully will reap in the same way. You absolutely cannot be stingy with sowing your seed and have a bountiful harvest; it's just not possible. Likewise, the same is not possible in giving. Giving our money is compared to farming. The blessings come back to us materially and spiritually.
Now, anyone who's ever watched a TV preacher for more than ten minutes has probably heard this verse abused. In context, we can't draw the conclusion that God is going to give our money back to by the truckload. To give so as to see how much you can get back is not giving for the right purpose or with the right attitude. These ideas Paul conveys around this grace of giving won't apply to the person with the wrong heart toward their gift. A Christian simply can't make deals about money with God.
8 "Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
'In what way have we robbed You?'
In tithes and offerings.
9 You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,"
Says the Lord of hosts,
"If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,"
Says the Lord of hosts;
12 And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,"
Says the Lord of hosts. (NKJV; Malachi 3:8-12; 1982, Thomas Nelson)
Money held onto is a product of the world. The love of money is the root of all evil. However, money given by grace, becomes spiritual. It brings a great blessing to the giver, to the one receiving and it is pleasing to God. As we stated last chapter, money is a terrible master, but a great servant.
2 Corinthians 9:7-9
Each of us are called to give in our own way. It's always between you and God. God has put His purpose in your heart. We then have to seek that Godly purpose and then joyfully let go of the money. It's all God's anyway. He allows us to be part of what he is doing. Financially supporting the work of God is just one way. You won't miss one dollar that you give to the work of God when your heart is right.
God sees our attitude about money. If we hoard it, or worship it, we'll never have enough of it. The 'all sufficiency' of verse 8 was a secular term from Greek philosophy. It was seen as a proud self-sufficiency that led to true happiness. Paul takes this term 'all sufficiency' and says God is the source of that.
Paul considers this giving as grace offered and received. We receive a grace by offering our material wealth to those that are in need. They receive a grace by receiving our offering. When we give, he is able to make all grace abound in our life and He can make sure we experience abundance for every good work. He is the source of all sufficiency and all abundance. When we give, God will fill the storehouse so you can give more and give again. He doesn't fill your store house as a reward for giving.
Possible partial quotation of Isaiah 55:10 in 8a and Hosea 10:12 in 8b. Then verse nine is from Psalm 112:9. The provision and the ability to give come from God. Our sufficiency has never based on our ability to make money and manage it well and draw lots of interest form our investments. Our sufficiency comes from God; He allows us to do these things. Hosea encourage us to be about sowing; to break up the hard ground so our seed can bear fruit. After seed is sown, we seek the Lord and wait on the harvest. Hosea pictures this as God raining down righteousness.
Psalm 112 caps the idea of verse eight. The Psalm is about the man who fears the Lord and delights in the Lord's commandments. He is a man who lives in the sufficiency of God; his life is abundant in many ways. He has compassion, he lends and gives. His affairs will be managed with discretion. He will never be shaken. Could the Corinthians picture themselves as this God-fearing man who dispersed abroad, giving to the poor and enjoying an enduring righteousness from God? Can you put yourself in that place?
A man's gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men. (NKJV; Proverbs 18:16; 1982, Thomas Nelson)
2 Corinthians 9:10-14
The 'increase the fruits' and 'multiplying the seed' are phrases that have been so abused. Paul simply lays down the principle that God will multiply the gift and increase the fruits of righteousness within them. He doesn't speak of God's increase so they can all get rich together. He isn't speaking of an increase as a reward for giving; or paying back some self-righteous act. Paul speaks of an increase that comes to the sower where they might be rewarded with more opportunity to faithfully give again. In this kind of faithful giving they would be out nothing; and, in fact, see a great harvest:
- Supply the needs of the saints
- Thanksgiving to God
- Proof of ministry
- God is glorified for obedience to their confession
- God is glorified in their 'liberal sharing' which is koinonia fellowship
- God is glorified by the prayers offered to the sower.
These are big things; big ideas with eternal consequences. Who are we that God would choose any of us to take part in such monumental tasks? Yet, this isn't some privilege that comes to just a few; but God calls each us to take part in this.
When the Corinthians joined with the other churches they joined in fellowship. The 'liberal sharing' of verse 13 is the Greek word koinonia. This word is more often translated as fellowship. This giving in grace was an act of fellowship among believers. When this gift was given it would be supplying the needs to the church in Jerusalem. But it would also result in those people giving thanks to the Lord. This gift by the church in Corinth was proof that they were obedient to the confession of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They really did believe in the promises of God. They really did believe that giving to others by grace would bless everyone involved and please the Lord. Can you imagine how these saints in Jerusalem might be blessed by this? What a great testimony to them. Paul said they would respond by their prayer for the Corinthians because of their exceeding grace. How do you think the receipt of this gift changed these people's hearts in Jerusalem? I imagine they thought the Asian churches could do no wrong. And I believe they would be more than willing to take up a collection for them some day, then they would have the chance to give by grace.
- God supplied the seed to the sower.
- The sower then sowed that seed.
- God multiplied the seed and increases the fruits
- The sower is made rich from their sincerity
- The gift results in thanksgiving offered to God, which pleases Him.
- Then……see #1; repeat often.
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given. (NKJV: Proverbs 19:17; 1982, Thomas Nelson)
2 Corinthians 9:15
What a fitting way to end this section because this isn't all about money. It's about Jesus Christ. He is the indescribable gift. The word 'indescribable' means that words are inadequate. It is the gift of Jesus that allows these graces to play out in our life. It is by Jesus we can be assured of our needs being met and having the confidence to give to meet other needs.
In John 12 Jesus said his time had come……then, most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. Once again, we see the farming reference. Jesus was the single grain sown that reaped a great harvest for those who put their trust in him. This indescribable gift is given in grace and those who believe are saved by that grace. Then we who are saved are able to be Christlike and give by grace in our life, sowing and reaping. And we give, joyfully, sacrificially and abundantly. It's not about money. It's an act of grace and our giving is a small picture of Jesus Christ, the indescribable gift.
©2006, 2010, 2016, 2022 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
[1] Michael P. Green. (2000). 1500 illustrations for biblical preaching (p. 159). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
[2] Michael P. Green. (2000). 1500 illustrations for biblical preaching (p. 161). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
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