For several days now the Apostle Paul has been speaking on the subject of generous giving. Yesterday we learned that the Lord rewards the cheerful giver. Today we learn that the generosity of believers causes others to praise the name of the Lord.
We pick back up in Chapter 9 with Paul's assurance that the Lord will supply our needs. "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. As it is written: 'They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.'" (2 Corinthians 9:8-9) We could paraphrase verse 8 by saying, "God has blessed us so we can be a blessing to others." God doesn't bless us with money or talents just so we can sit back and enjoy them ourselves; He blesses us with these things so that our blessings can overflow into the lives of others. Paul quotes Psalm 112 in verse 9, a psalm that speaks of the blessings given to the man or woman who fears and obeys the Lord. He's telling his readers, "Your giving won't go unnoticed by God. Whether you've sacrificed money or time or talents for the sake of the Lord and His people, you will be blessed for it."
"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. 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." (2 Corinthians 9:10-11) I think we could rephrase these two verses like this, "God gave us the 'seed' (money, time, talents, etc.) to sow. Will He not also make that seed grow? Will He not also provide us a great harvest? God's economy works like this: He rewards us for giving by giving us more to give."
"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. 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." (2 Corinthians 9:12-13) Giving in order to help others is an admirable thing and we ought to do it, but there is an even greater reason for doing it than to solve a temporary earthly problem. Giving is able to solve an eternal problem as well because it brings glory to the name of the Lord we serve, thus leading others to Him. Even unbelievers often turn to the church or to church members for help in times of need, and this is because they know that those who serve the Lord have a heart for the needy. Who knows but what our generosity will bring unbelievers to the faith? Who knows how many lives may end up being changed because of our generosity, not just in the present generation but for generations to come?
"And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:14-15) Why is God such a fan of generous giving? Because He is a generous giver, which is why Paul praises Him for it. God gave the very best He had when He sent the Lord Jesus Christ to us. There is no greater gift He could have given us, so the very least we can do is give back to Him by helping our fellow man and by bringing glory and honor to Him in doing so.
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