Next Weeks Lesson 8/20/06

Bible Background * 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Printed Text * 2 Corinthians 9:3-15

Devotional Reading * Psalm 37:16-24

Giving Generously

Each of the last four lessons, Paul has instructed the people of the Corinthian church. On how to be better Christians. In this lesson the Corinthian church is being praised, on it's acceptance of Paul. By showing him love and forgiveness, and accepting him back. After he has been falsely accused, by a detractor of the truth. This time he is teaching on the importance of giving. He want's our charity, to be a way of life. In spite of what we give. We can never give back what is given to us by God. If we as Christians take on the attitude of giving. The body of Christ will never go lacking.

2 Corinthians 8
1Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

4Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

In these verses Paul calls upon the Corinthians. To give like the Macedonians did, in spite of their material wealth. They gave to the church sacrificially. Whatever that amounted to individually. Some have more to give than others. Give according to what you have. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. Let your blessings be a blessing to someone else. Give because that's what you want to give. Not because you're forced to, or someone is looking. You can never give a gift equal, to that which God has given you.


2 Corinthians 8:6-8:

6Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

7Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

8I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others

Here Titus, Pau's representative in the Corinthian church. Appeals to the Corinthians integrity. Because you have a problem with someone, in the body. Don't shun your responsibility. Because you don't like the preacher. Don't withold your gifts. Do what you have promised. Don't hold out your commitment to the body, based on the activity of one. What someone else does. Has nothing to do with you. Ultimately you can only control your own actions. As well as secure your own salvation.



2 Corinthians 8:9:

9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.


As Christians we know how good God is already. He gave his only begotten son. Would you sacrifice your child , for the benefit of others? In all honesty,at this point. I know I wouldn't. To take it even farther. Jesus Christ gave his own life. He was the heir to everything. He gave that up for all believers.


2 Corinthians 8:10-15:

10And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

11Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

12For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

13For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

14But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

15As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.


God does not want us to put ourselves in a bad way. To look good in the eyes of others. Don't give more than you have. Therefore the tithing principle, isn't to much to bare. If you give 10% to the body of Christ, that leaves you with 90% for yourself. God gave you all that you have. Why wouldn't you be willing to give back? If it wasn't for the grace of God, and his willingness to give to you. We wouldn't have anything.

Next Weeks Lesson 8/13/06

Giving Generously

Bible background * 2 Corinthians 8: 1-15

Printed Text * 2 Corinthians 8: 1-15

Devotional Reading * Luke 20:45 - 21:4

Giving Forgiveness

Paul has a special affection for the people of Corinth. That is the place of his second mission. Even though they were among the first to receive the gospel. They still didn't get it right. Upon being notified of the trouble with the Corinthian converts. First he had to teach on matters of immorality and sexuality. Corinth was like a red light district, of Bibical times. Kind of like a modern day Bourbon Street. Then he had to deal with impropiety in the church. People were distorting the gospel, and worshipping idol gods. Teaching contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Then there was misuse of the gifts. Taking God given gifts and using them for personal benefits. He had to reemphasize that all gifts are used for the upbuilding of the kingdom. Now he is dealing with a backbiter. Scripture doesn't tell us what the offense was, or what the man said. Whatever it was, it was widespread and it hurt Paul. Paul wrote three letters to Corinth, one came up missing. It was the letter written dealing with Paul's anger. I wonder what he said? In this lesson Paul stresses forgiveness




2 Corinthians 2:5-11:

5But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.

6Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

7So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

8Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

9For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

10To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

11Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.




Paul stresses forgiveness in the above scriptures. As a characteristic of God. Regardless what you have done. It's not to big to be forgiven. You have a saviour that's all knowing Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. If you served a God that thought like you. With our biased and infinite knowledge. What do you think would happen? All of us would be in serious trouble. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GodWe should take on the characteristics of God, and show forgiveness. Had not we all been forgiven by God. We would be lost.



2 Corinthians 7:2-4:

2Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

3I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.


Here Paul appeals to the hearts of the Corinthians. Though he explains he hasn't done anything wrong. He wants them to open their hearts, and take him back into their fold. I think this has a lot to do with the missing letter. We don't know what was said. Based on what's being said now. This sounds to me like an apology of sorts. In any event Paul felt the need to stress the importance of not being vengeful. Paul is appealing to their sense of loyalty. When filled with the holy spirit. You are not so quick to dismiss or suspect others. You give others the benefit of the doubt. In all that I have shared with you. Judge me based on what you know. Not someone elses venomous report.


2 Corinthians 7:5-7:

5For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

6Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.


Anxious to hear what the Corinthians said. Paul went to Macedonionia, in search of his helper Titus. It was a time of trials and tribulations. Putting Paul's faith to the test. While there he encountered opposition from his enemies. And didn't receive help from anybody else either. Even those that believed, were of no comfort. As always God stepped into the situation, and made a way. Out of what seemed like no way. He sent Paul's helper Titus. With good news coming back, from the people of Corinth. Which served as encouragement for them both. We as Christians should rejoice at another person's repentance. It is as precious to us, as our own.



2 Corinthians 7:8-12:

8For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

9Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

10For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

11For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

12Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

Paul didn't mean to upset the people of Corinth, with his letter. Not just to have them sorry for their treatment of him persay. He was not apologetic, for his message though. Him and Timothy both have He was glad the people saw reason to repent, based on the letter he had written. This was to show where as Christians, are to be of a forgiving spirit. It shouldn't be just because we like somebody, or we don't.


2 Corinthians 7:13-15:

13Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

15And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

Here Paul proclaims his confidence in his teaching to Titus. He speaks of the joy Titus found, in having the Corinthian people extend their forgiveness. It was proof of the presence of the fruits of the spirit. In the hearts of those, in the body of Christ.

Next Weeks Lesson 8/06/06

Giving Forgiveness

Printed Text: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11; 7:2-15

Background Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11; 7:2-15

Devotional Reading: Matthew 18:21-35