Generosity

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2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Just a reminder, the last two messages were about the Corinthian church and the Macedonian churches and their willingness to give
Paul had discussed his trust and concern for the Corinthian church to still be as giving as they had previously been
let’s pick right up in verse 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.”

Why should the give generously?
Paul lays out reasoning that holds true in both the natural and the spiritual spheres.
if you sow sparingly, then you will reap sparingly.
if you plant a small amount of seeds, you will grow a small amount of plants
He also shares that you should give what you have decided in your heart.
often when we give it is at an impulse or again, under pressure to do so and sometimes reluctantly
When we give of ourselves and what we have, our needs are met and God blesses us abundantly
does this mean that when we give generously, then we will be rich?
NO!
This is a common misused text in order to gain wealth by so called preachers and teachers out there.
They tell others their own followers that if you give generously to my ministry that is in need of a new jet, then you will be blessed with wealth.
This is false self serving teaching and should be rejected at every turn.
Read the text again.
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.
you will have what you need
and you will abound, not in wealth, but in every good work
what is good work?
it is every work that you do that promotes, teaches and shares the love, grace and Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This is the blessings of abundance that Scripture promises
If we are giving with our heart and joyfully, then we are in the mindset of pushing towards Jesus Christ and are keeping the attitude of rightiousness.
vs. 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.

Again, this is not a promise of wealth, but a promise of increase.
He does promise to increase, but again, that is not the focus.
If you are giving generously because you are hoping for more yourself, then you are not giving in the ways he has already expressed
you are giving reluctantly
because you are not giving from the heart, but from the mind of selfish desires.
vs. 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!

And this is the answer to the question asked on the Sunday night a few weeks ago when started chapter nine
why do we give
Like the Corinthians for the Macedonian church
when we give in a righteous manner
others will see and begin to understand
this leads to others confession of the Gospel of Christ and will join in the service of Christ and others
Selfless heartfelt giving is Godly giving.
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