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.
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.
posted by Common @ 11:30 AM
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