Giving

Scripture Reading

2 Corinthians 9:6–15 NKJV

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 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. As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” 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, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

I’ve been putting off talking about an important subject. Like most pastors, I don’t like to talk about giving; however, circumstances mean that I need to. Monthly giving has been decreasing for some time, but it became noticeable in early 2023. 2023 was approximately $17000 short of our expectations. I attribute this lack to a few things. Most importantly, we’ve declined in numbers, from an average attendance in the 60s in 2019 to in the 40s today. This decline has mostly been due to people dying or moving away; we have seen some new people join as well, just not enough to replace those who left. Furthermore, we have many people on fixed income, so inflation hurts us a lot while unemployment doesn’t touch us. the last couple of years have seen inflation at 40 year highs.

Either way, it’s time that everyone understood where we are at, and more importantly, what we all should do about it. As in all things, we begin with the Scriptures. I make it my goal to be faithful to the Scriptures, whether what it says is hard or easy. Thus, before getting to some practical steps, let’s see what the Bible says.

I. The Law of Sowing and Reaping

It is clear that the law of Sowing and Reaping does also apply to giving. The principle itself is easy to understand. A farmer in ancient times had to save a bit of his crop from last year to plant this year. No farmer begrudged putting some of his valuable food in the ground, since whatever he sowed he would later reap. If he only sowed a little seed, then he would still get something, just not very much; if he sowed his entire field, he would get the maximum possible amount.

But we need to be careful. Unscrupulous preachers have sometimes made it sound like giving to the church was a good investment strategy; it is not something you can use to get more money in your bank account. But you should expect something back since the Scriptures declare that you will reap what you sow. But what should you get back if it isn’t money?

In short, you should expect treasures in heaven (Matt 6:19-21). Now that is definitely reaping, for heavenly riches are quite real, and much more valuable than earthly riches. You can’t lose heavenly wealth, and it is permanently yours. Earthly wealth is completely worthless the moment Jesus returns, or when you die, whichever comes first. But you can use it to get heavenly riches that cannot fade away. So how much of your wealth should you use to get heavenly riches? Remember that the farmer will sow his entire field - he can’t sow more than his field will hold, but he will want to sow everything he can. You do need some money to live on, but the principle of sowing and reaping means that if you are thinking properly, you will want to use as much of your money to gain heavenly riches as you are able.

Matthew 6:19–21 NKJV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Having said that, when should you expect to enjoy those heavenly riches? well here’s a clue - where are those riches? and where are you? Since they are in heaven, and you are not, you’ll either need to go there - as in die - or you need to wait for heaven to come down here - as in Jesus’ return to earth.

II. Generosity is the Exchange Rate

Now the verse about cheerful giving is well known, but what does it mean? The idea is that everyone should give as they choose, since God values generosity much more than the dollar amount. And this only makes sense. If earthly treasure will one day be worthless, then to translate worthless, temporary dollars into heavenly riches requires an exchange rate with something valuable in heaven. That value is in your generosity. What you give because you truly want to benefit others and contribute to God’s work on earth will last; what you give because you gave in to pressure won’t be worth very much.

III. You have enough for good works

God is able to provide you with enough money to do all the good works he wants you to do. v.8 declares that you have “all sufficiency” meaning you have enough money. But enough to do what? the abundance is “for every good work.” In other words, God does not promise you will have as much money as you want; at times, you may even suffer poverty. But he does promise enough money to do all the good works he wants you to do. In other words, you have enough money to give generously.

Quotation from Psalm 112:9. in the context “he” is clearly the righteous person, thus the promise of the Psalm is that giving to the poor is a good work that will result in a positive evaluation from God; and lasting honor. Of course, the proviso is that you must give with the right attitude and for the right reason.

Psalm 112:9 NKJV

He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor.

You will notice that this psalm is about giving to the poor, not giving to support the work of the church. That’s because Paul is discussing taking a collection for the poor Christians in Judea, so his giving project is not quite the same as ours. We have plenty in our deacon’s fund for the poor. Is there a parallel? I believe a similar principle does apply. Phil 4:17.

Philippians 4:17 NKJV

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

God can multiply money just as he can multiply food. He is rich enough to take the results of your generosity and increase it to the point that it can do what it needs to do. Here the “fruits of your righteousness” would have to be what the righteous act of giving produces, namely, money to do the Lord’s Work.

IV. God is Glorified

In the context of Paul’s giving project, he notes that the gift will result in many people giving thanks to God. The point would be that the poor Christians in Judea thank God for the gift of the Corinthians and other Gentile churches, and God hears their thanks and remembers it, to the eternal advantage of the Corinthians.

The “obedience of your confession” could be understood several ways; the best is “the obedience that comes from your confession” that is, you give because you are Christians and want to help other Christians.

Now we must again distinguish between giving to the poor and giving to the church. Both can have the same result of thanksgiving to God Phil 4:18.

Philippians 4:18 NKJV

Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

V. The Church is Revived

The results of the Corinthians giving not only glorify God, but also revive the church. Why? Because the Corinthians demonstrate the grace of God through obedience to the gospel. And the recipients will pray for the Corinthians. One of the major reasons Paul was passionate about his giving project was to foster unity between Jew and Gentile Christians. God has in part ordained that the church be supported by voluntary giving as a spiritual exercise to set everyone on fire for the Lord; and so everyone will work together for the gospel.