Bible Commentaries

God Loves A Cheerful Giver

- Second Corinthians Nine -

Paul did not feel that the church at Corinth really needed all the teaching he was giving them about giving. He was well aware of the promise that they had already made concerning a generous contribution to be given. Paul had boasted to the churches in Macedonia about how Corinth planned to give. He did not want his having boasted so much about these people to have been in vain! Therefore he sent Titus and the other brothers to help collect their bounty. Paul felt that they should be ashamed if they had pledged to do something and then did not do it.

The bounty or blessing from Corinth would bless many in Jerusalem. In our church giving we can only give to the church of our Lord. If you give your money to any other church, you will be supporting LIES and your worship would be in VAIN! When you give to the cause of Christ you should give with a spirit of gladness about being able to share what you have. When you consider the amount that you will give count the number of ways that God can bless you and give accordingly.

Sufficiency is a key word when it comes to giving. God has blessed us with sufficient for our needs and to share with others. We should give accordingly. Paul's statements concerning giving sound very much like Psalms 112:9. "He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour." God does give "seed to the sower, and bread to the eater." (Isaiah 55:10) The sower is the one that gives of whatever he has to help other people. God promised to provide (1) Bread for your food, (2) He will multiply your seed sown, and (3) He will increase the fruits of your righteousness. God often increases out wealth so that we can go out and meet the needs of people even more.

Think of all the good that would be done if the church at Corinth gave the generous offering they had promised: (1) Needs of the Jerusalem church would be supplied, (2) Thanksgivings would go up to God in many places, (3) The Corinthians would have supplied proof of their love, and (4) The Christians at Jerusalem would begin to pray for the church at Corinth as soon as they heard from them. Thankfulness for God's unspeakable gift of Jesus and His gospel was all the motivation that was needed to insure that the proper gift would be given by the Corinthians.

Be prepared to keep your word - 2 Corinthians 9:1-4 : Paul felt that it was really unnecessary, because of the present state of mind of these brethren, to write to them about the money they planned to give. He knew that their hearts were set on doing what was right before God. He had all confidence that they would give to help God's people in Judea that were in need. They had been ready to give for a year and Paul had boasted about them. Their zeal had stirred up many others to give. Paul said, "Achaia was ready a year ago." Achaia is another name for Greece where Corinth was located.

Paul sent Titus and the two other brothers on ahead to see that the contribution was waiting when he and the brethren from Macedoina reached there. He did not want his boasting about them to be in vain. It should not be that way, but it is easy to forget about what we have promised to do. If they failed to have their gifts ready Paul would be embarrassed because he had boasted so much about them and they would be embarrassed even more for failing to keep their promise.

Sow bountifully and reap also bountifully - 2 Corinthians 9:5-7 : God's desire for our giving is that it be both willing and bountiful. Christians should give because they want to, and not because they feel forced to give. Giving should show love and never show the giver to be covetous. Remember this, A few seeds sown will make only a small harvest, but a lot of seeds sown make a big harvest. Paul; said, "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." The harvest from our giving is (1) the good that is done, (2) God is glorified, and (3) our love is proven.

Each person must make up his own mind about how much to give. You cannot feel sorry that you must give. Neither should you give reluctantly or under compulsion. God loves people that love to give. God loves a cheerful giver. A person must meditate on what he will give and give generously and with a cheerful heart. Both the amount and the attitude are important in our giving. After a person has decided the amount that he should give, it should not be painful to him when he gives. It must be done with a cheerful heart.

God will multiply the seed you sow - 2 Corinthians 9:8-12 : Give as God has prospered you with a cheerful spirit. When you do give generously God will bless you with everything you need. You will always have enough to do good things to bless others. God will make His grace abound in your life as you bless others. God freely gives to the poor, "His righteousness endures forever." Put God first and He will provide every necessity for you. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) The faithful giver will receive food and also seed for sowing. God will increase your harvest so that you can give even more to those in need.

The Christian that practices liberality will be blessed in every way. He will be able to keep on being generous. Paul also knew that many people would thank God when the generous gift was delivered to those famine stricken brethren. What they were doing was an act that would cause much thanksgiving to God from many.

The experiment of this ministration - 2 Corinthians 9:13-15 : The way the Corinthians had conducted themselves in the matter of giving would be an experiment that would prove effective. They believed in Christ and obeyed His will by sharing generously with God's people and with everyone else. Generous giving would be a carrying out of the profession of the gospel of Christ. This contribution would bless Christians and non Christians alike. Giving God glory was the main purpose of this experiment.

The disciples in Judea prayed for the Corinthians and had a deep interest in them. God had used these brethren to bless Judea and they were ever so grateful. "Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!" This inexpressible or unspeakable gift is the gospel of the Son of God. The gospel of Christ and what it does in the lives of people can never be fully described.