Untitled Sermon (6)
The Gift of Giving that Keeps on Giving (Part 2)
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
Generosity Encouraged
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.” l
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
9:1–15 Having endorsed Titus and two other men (8:16–24), Paul returns to the subject of the collection for the church in Jerusalem. Paul explains that he is sending Titus and the others so that the Corinthians’ contribution can be ready when he visits. He points out that he has boasted about their willingness to help, and that he, along with the Corinthians themselves, would be embarrassed if he arrived with the Macedonians and found them unprepared (vv. 1–5). Paul encourages the Corinthians to give generously by arguing that God loves a cheerful giver (vv. 6–11). Their generosity would not only supply the needs of those in Jerusalem, it would also serve as an expression of thanksgiving to God and unite Jewish and Gentile believers (vv. 12–15).
9:1 ministry to the saints Refers to the collection of financial relief Paul is gathering for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Since the Corinthians already knew about this project (1 Cor 16:1–4), Paul did not need to explain it to them again. See note on 2 Cor 8:4.
9:2 Macedonians See note on 8:1.
ready to help since last year Paul advised the Corinthians to set aside money for this collection last year (1 Cor 16:1–3). Their enthusiasm for this project inspired other churches to participate, even though the Corinthians had not yet contributed.
9:3 sending the brothers A team of believers would have collected the offering the Corinthian believers set aside for this project (1 Cor 16:1–3; 2 Cor 8:16–24). Paul presents this as an opportunity for the Corinthians to demonstrate the authenticity of their faith and love for the saints.
9:4 would be humiliated Paul risked his reputation by commending the Corinthians’ eagerness and generosity to the Macedonians. He presents their example as motivation to have their gift ready when Titus and the others arrive.
9:5 generous gift In the first century, the city of Corinth was renowned for its prosperity. Although some believers were not wealthy (1 Cor 1:26–29), the church as a whole possessed more than other churches. Paul wants to ensure that they give their generous gift with the right attitude and motivation; he sends some believers to help organize the gift to remove any sense of compulsion.
promised previously See 2 Cor 8:10 and note; compare 8:11.
9:7 cheerful giver Paul echoes Prov 22:9 and other OT passages to emphasize God’s delight in those who give with the right attitude (compare Exod 25:2; 35:5; Deut 15:10).
Giving
9:8 God is able to cause all grace The Corinthians may have felt concerned about giving money because of the uncertainty of life in the ancient world. Paul does not want this to be reason for them to withhold their generosity. Paul affirms that God can provide everything they need, just as He is doing for the church in Jerusalem.
9:9 his righteousness remains forever Paul quotes Psa 112:9 to suggest that giving alms and being generous are expressions of God’s righteousness.
9:10 supplies seed Paul alludes to Isa 55:10—a song of joy celebrating Israel’s promised restoration (see note on 2 Cor 1:3)—as further support that God provides for His creation. For this reason, the Corinthian believers should feel free to give generously to the collection, without fear that their own needs will go unmet.
9:11 generosity Paul wants the Corinthians to understand that their abundance exists for the sake of generosity and thanksgiving. See 8:14–15.
9:12 service of this ministry Paul points out that the Corinthians’ generosity would not only benefit the church in Jerusalem, it would also be a gift of thanksgiving to God (see note on v. 7). See note on v. 1.
9:14 grace of God Paul’s use of charis refers to the kindness expressed in generosity, but it may also include knowledge of God for salvation (see also 8:1).
9:15 his indescribable gift Refers to Christ, who brought about salvation through His life, death, and resurrection. It may also refer to His generosity: He became poor so that those who believe in Him might become rich (8:9). Paul appropriately closes his appeal for the Corinthian church to give generously by thanking God for His generous gift.
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”