Cheerful Giving

Introduction

It’s uncomfortable to talk about money...

Body: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Verses 1-5

Paul refers here to the collection for the poor in Jerusalem that he had spoken to the church of Corinth earlier and reminded them of in his first letter.

1 Corinthians 16:1–4 ESV

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

Apparently, when Paul first spoke to them of this offering, they were not only excited to give, but they promised a significant portion of money.

This is significant for a number of reasons:

Culturally, charity for strangers was not something that was done. People earned money for themselves, not for others, particularly strangers…and particularly strangers who are not the same race as them. So, this was a major break with their cultural mores.

Caring for the poor was vital, and many of the Jerusalem Christians were extremely poor because they were persecuted by their Jewish neighbors...

Finally, this is a brilliant way to bring together both Jewish and Gentile Christians, something that was still uncomfortable to the early church.

Paul had been referring to the Corinthian church as an example of cheerful giving to their neighbors to the north in Macedonia. This motivated the Macedonian church to give generously, even beyond what they first thought they could give.

But now Paul is concerned, likely because of the nature of his last letter to the church in Corinth in which he had to rebuke them, that they’d changed their minds about participating in the offering.

This would being shame to both Paul and to themselves.

Therefore, Paul sent the brothers ahead with this letter to prepare them for fulfilling their promise.

We can see in verse 5 that Paul is very concerned that upon his coming it will seem like he is twisting their arms in order to get the money they promised, instead of them giving willingly.

Verses 6-11

Paul then uses an illustration from agriculture to encourage them to sow bountifully.

The idea being, that a stingy giver will not receive much in return. But a gracious giver receives much.

Richard Pratt: “Just as farmers should not expect a large harvest unless they sow generously, so Christians should not expect many blessings from God unless they bless others in a generous way.”

The point being, each person must decide on their own what to give.

Not because of guilt or pressure, but cheerfully.

God loves when His people give cheerfully.

Why?

Because God Himself is a cheerful giver! We are more like our Heavenly Father when we are cheerful givers.

There is great benefit in generous giving, as Paul outline in verses 8-11.

God blesses giving.

It’s important that Paul starts this point with “And God is able...”

Giving is not a guarantee. God is not obligated to bless our giving, but He is able to do so.

And the greatest blessing is the grace He gives so we would have “sufficiency in all things and all times” (i.e. that would would have what we truly need).

But also, that we would abound in good work, which is greater than monetary blessings!

In fact, we ought to always see the blessings God has given us as avenues to bless others all the more.

The quote Paul gives is from Psalm 112:9, which describes the characteristics of a righteous person.

Here, a righteous person is generous to the poor.

And, look at the last words of this quoted verse: “…his righteousness endures forever.” The point being, our good works of generosity will not be forgotten by God!

Verse 10 is an allusion to to the prophets Isaiah & Hosea:

Isaiah 55:10 ESV

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

Hosea 10:12 ESV

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

The point being, God will not ignore our generosity, but will in fact, increase our harvest.

In verse 11, when Paul talks about being “enriched” in every way, this isn’t some name-it-and-claim-it, give money to God to get more money from God scheme you’d hear from a TV preacher.

The “enrichment” is the harvest it will produce of thanksgiving to God.

God’s people praising God and being encouraged in God, is thanksgiving enough for God’s people.

And, when that results in more people won to the kingdom, that’s an even greater blessing!

Verses 12-15

Verse 11 moves right into Paul’s final encouragement on this topic.

Again, they are not only going to produce thanksgiving to God through their generosity, but they will also supply the needs of their brothers and sisters in Christ.

In short, because of the Corinthian church’s willingness to give, God will be praised by other believers.

The church in Jerusalem will then clearly see that their confession of Christ Jesus was real, because confession is always accompanied with obedience, or it is not a real confession.

Another benefit of their generosity will be that the church in Jerusalem will be praying for them.

It should be a great encouragement to us when someone says they are praying for us…the reason it often isn’t is because we easily forget the power of prayer.

What inexpressible gift is Paul referring to in verse 15?

The gift of giving...

The gift of salvation by grace through faith, which makes the blessing possible in the first place...

So What?

To live generously, I must become a cheerful giver with my money.

What are the benefits of being a cheerful giver?

A cheerful giver will receive a greater blessing from God.

A cheerful giver proves where their security is found: in God.

A cheerful giver will inspire others to praise God.

How do I become a cheerful giver?

Pray about your giving.

Plan your giving.

Remember who you are giving to.

Remember why you are giving.

To follow God’s example;

Because God blesses cheerful giving;

To minister to the needs to others;

To support the ministry of the Gospel in our community and abroad;

To inspire others to praise God.

Praise God for the opportunity to give.