2 Corinthians 9

Chad Myhre

2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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Verse by verse study through 2 Corinthians

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2 Corinthians 9:6–8 ESV

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Intro:

Previously.. Paul gave the Corinthians a bit of encouragement..

.. and the means of this encouragement.. came by way of example..

If you remember.. last week we looked at chpt 8..

We talked about the “value of a good example”

Corinth was invited to receive a weekly collection.. to contribute funds to the needy folks.. in the church.. in Jerusalem.

The Macedonians heard about this… and without being asked to help… they insisted that they be able to give money to the church in Jerusalem, in spite of their own poverty.

That Paul used it, as an example to encourage the Macedonians.

So.. here it is, a year later from the request from Paul to raise the funds… ..

And it would seem,…we get the impression… that Corinth hasn’t gathered their pledges yet..

\++

so Paul encouraged them.. in chapter 8.. and continuing on here in chpt. 9..

to respond to the example of the Macedonians..

To see the obedience and the blessing in someone else’s life..

And be personally motivated by it.

The Macedonians gave.. to the cause.. from their financial resources..

But.. something came first.. and Paul highlighted these things in:

: II cor 8:5

Concerning the Macedonians.. Paul said:

“…they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.”

The Corinthian believer, might have asked: ++

“How did the Macedonians respond so quickly, and with such generosity?”

and here.. is the answer..

The financial giving came easy..

Because there were two other forms of giving.. already in place.. ++

FIRST OFF: they “gave themselves to the Lord”

Indicating.. a surrender.. a great yielding.. an abandon of personal ambition in exchange for Godly ambition.

SECONDLY: they “gave of themselves.. to Paul and his co-workers.”

Indicating.. a mentality.. an understanding.. a selflessness..

… that considered the comfort and the well-being of others, over themselves. ++

Their first concern was God..

Their second concern.. was towards those who were in need.. ++

Then … when it came time to consider the need for financial giving..

it wasn’t such a burden..

They.. were already living a life of giving:

The entirety of their being.. was given to God..

Their time, their energies, their skills and their hospitality..

.. were given to Paul and his companions.. ++

And to those who were out of their reach..

The needy folks in Jerusalem..

.. it was logical and w/o debate.. that funds should be gathered.. and send.. to help relieve the needs. ++

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians.. it’s pretty much a sure thing..

that he was going to be facing some individuals who had a problem with giving..

The people in Corinth had some serious ‘selfishness’ issues. These were addressed in the first letter.

The wealthy people in Corinth tended to their own wants at church potlucks… ate and drank to their fill… and ignored their fellow church members who were poor and had no feed to eat. ++

There were definitely going to be people in Corinth, who ignored, or pushed back at Paul’s request in I cor 16 to take up a collection for Jerusalem. ++

This is human nature..

Even right now.. I’ll bet there are some folks here.. have a problem with giving..

And this topic prods a sensitive area.. ++

For some folks, it’s a massive hurdle. Some people are gifted to give.... and some people can’t bear the thought of giving with generosity.

the givers have a long list of Bible verses… and they want to see other people doing what they do...

But the non-givers… they’ve patched together a few Bible verses too… and they don’t want to be bothered.

Paul knew who his audience was… so he presented them with a stellar example. These Macedonians were a group of people who were doing something that was worthy of commendation.

And if you’re bound and determined to not tithe.. to not give offerings..

Then.. it won’t take much work for you to squeeze some form of justification out of the Word..

If you’re truly justified.. then you’ll be at peace w/your conclusion..

And you won’t be bothered by the topic..

But if you are bothered.. you gotta ask yourself the all important question: Why am I bothered?

Here’s what’s unique about them: They gave themselves to God…

It wasn’t just ‘lip service”

Their first consideration in every scenario… wasn’t self… it was instead… “God!”

Am I still totally living for me??..

Is my first consideration in every decision.. “me”???

Or.. is my life.. really in God’s possession.. ???

Here’s another unique thing about the Macedonians.

For.. God’s purpose??

Am I living for Him.. ???

My first consideration in every decision.. is it “God”????

They not only gave themselves to God… but they gave themselves to the betterment of other people.

Now.. as Paul writes to the Corinthians..

Do I think of others and their concerns???

Even when it means inconvenience and sacrifice on my part?

Or.. do I only think of others when I have excess of time and resource?

Or.. do I not think of others.. at all???

If you’re in the “non-giver” camp..

this little survey.. might.. may just possibly.. hey.. there’s a chance..

that this little survey..

Might reveal something, about your personal state of benevolence and generosity.

You see.. as Paul wrote to the Corinthians..

He also writes.. to us..

As the Corinthians were looking to Macedonia for an example..

So do we..

And.. as the Corinthian church is given encouragement.. and counsel..

So.. are we.. ++

The example continues.. in full force.. and even w/questionable manipulation.. in

2 Corinthians 9:1–5 ESV

1 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.

In vs. 1.. Paul says: it’s “suh-pur-flu-us”… meaning: it’s unnecessary. It’s overkill.. it’s information.. above and beyond what you need to hear..

It’s.. unnecessary for me to write to you concerning your ministry for the saints…

However.. what is Paul doing? ++

He’s writing to them… about their responsibility to.. minister to the saints..

This is why.. it’s so hard to come before you.. so often..

About our need for Sunday School teachers..

Why?

It’s not necessary.

Or.. at least.. in principle..

It’s not.

However.. I grieve over this issue a whole lot..

And I’m trying to seek an answer from the Lord on it..

I’ve sent out an e-mail.. and I’ve begged for input.. and I appreciate those who have commented..

But I still find us.. in a quandary.

Some have suggested.. a more frequent rotation..

And out of desperation for teachers.. we could try this..

But in reality.. it’s a compromise to the betterment of our children.

It’s our greatest desire.. to provide some form of consistency and stability to the children..

But if we cater to the needs of the adults… over the needs of the children..

They are the ones who end up getting ripped off.

I’m beginning to think positively about going the traditional route..

Where we would provide a S.S. hour before church..

And then, have everyone together here for the service..

However.. I still think it’s necessary to provide something for the infants and the toddlers during the service:

That would mean.. 2 straight hours in a small room for some of the infants and toddlers.

Thus: doubling our need there.

You see.. some folks hold strong convictions about their children learning respect and discipline in an environment that is more attuned to adults..

And because of this..

They want their children in this service..

The “Train Up A Child” folks.. and if you are one.. you know what I mean..

Even have.. “sitting quiet practice”.. to learn this discipline..

And some folks are of the mindset.. that each of us should be taught at our own level..

And we have both convictions here…

And I am not dogmatic on either side.

I can see the benefits of both ideals..

And so.. I’m left in a quandary..

If God’s leading is qualified.. by His provision..

–Then it would appear..

That either: God is not leading us to do the Sunday School program the way we have been doing it..

Or.. God is providing folks to serve there..

It’s just.. they aren’t responding.

I grieve over this issue.. because the adults.. they get everything..

They get this time every Sunday Morn.

We have a Bible Study here every Wednesday night.

Home study at Dave’ a couple times a month...

Precept studies here.. twice a week..

Bible studies and support groups for those who struggle with different addictions..

The adults.. have more opportunities than they can participate in.

The children..

Their opportunities.. are dwindling.. fast.

Paul said to Corinth..

“it’s just not necessary for me to talk to you guys about this issue… “

That’s why I’d rather.. take this need.. in private.. to my prayer closet..

But it needs to be communicated.

I have a children in those classes..

And this.. is their church too.

Man..

See what’s going on here this morning..

Two big guilt issues, all in one convenient package..

Isn’t it difficult enough that we’re talking about giving..

But then.. this children’s ministry things too?

Hey.. don’t look at me..

Look at the Macedonians..

They.. set the example.

Now… let’s try to move beyond vs. 1..

Just like in the previous chapter..

Paul is reminding the Corinthians.. about their own willingness.

Of how he boasted on them..

Of how this boasting encouraged the Macedonians.. by way of example.. to respond as they did..

And yet..

Here they are.. 1 year later..

And Paul is unsure of the sincerity of their claim.. ++

He even told them earlier..

That willingness is accepted according to what you have..

.. and not.. according to.. what you don’t have.

Paul tells them:

I don’t want to show up there..

And be ashamed of my confident boasting..

And because of this fear..

Paul sent some folks ahead of him.

.. to deliver this letter..

And.. to prepare the church in Corinth.. – ++

Notice vs. 5..

He anticipated.. that they had not gathered these promised funds together..

And.. if he had shown up, unexpectantly..

They would not have been.. mentally prepared for gather the funds.. ++

They would have pulled them together.. in a begrudging manner..

And Paul didn’t want them to have to give out of obligation..

But rather.. he wanted them to give.. out of generosity..

This contrast.. between obligation and generosity..

Then launches Paul into the following teaching:

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 ESV

The prosperity folks love this passage.

They use it to motivate folks.. to give more money..

Why? Well, if you give more money..

God will return… even MORE money to you.. ++

And w/this doctrine..

They create in some.. a completely outrageous and improper mentality.. ++

For the one who is duped by this manipulative talk..

Will give $300 to the television ministry..

Because.. they believe.. God will give them $3000 back… ++

They don’t give to the Lord… w/no strings attached. No Way! They give, because they are certain that God is going to treat their contribution as an investment, and they are certain God is going to return that investment a 100 fold. ++

This is not the heart of these verses..

and such a mentality is completely inappropriate..

Why?

It takes the motivation of love.. out of the equation.. ++

For love.. neither demands.. nor expects anything in return..

If the motivation of giving.. is to receive..

Then we’ve missed the boat.. ++

Paul is trying to teach a “life” principle here.

God is just..

And God will apply His justice.. to our motives.. ++

Some say.. “if sow money.. I’ll reap money”

But some folks.. “sow” a seed..

And they reap a vegetable..

They reap .. a fruit.. ++

You see..

Reaping may come back.. in a completely different form.

The specific issue for Corinth.. is a “sowing” of financial means..

But the principle of sowing and reaping.. goes way beyond the check that you sign.. ++

Recall the 2 point survey that the Macedonian example gave to us..

Are we “sowing” of our own life.. to God?

Are we “sowing” of our time, our energy, our gifts and our resources..

…. To others who are in need?

The Macedonians help to set our motivations right… their example shows us the heart of giving… and the heart is the part that God is interested in.

Let’s go even beyond that..

Are we sowing of our hearts..

In worship? ++

Are we sowing of our minds..

In the word? ++

Are we sowing of our love.. and of our emotion..

In our relationships.? ++

Those that we have.. between husband and wife..

Those that we have.. between parent and child..

Those that we have.. between friends???

Are we sowing of our character.. and our integrity..

On the job? ++

When it says here “he who sows bountifully” or reaps “bountifully”

it literally means:

he who sows w/ blessings..

will also reap with blessings. ++

There’s a good rhetorical question:

“Am I.. being a blessing to God?”

“Am I.. being a blessing.. to other people?”

If so..

Then.. somehow.. in God’s economy..

There will be blessings.. coming back to me. ++

Vs. 7 addresses the heart and the attitude of giving..

Which is also, the heart and the attitude that God desires..

In every form of worship..

Not just.. the giving form of worship..

But every form..

He doesn’t want it..

And does not ascribe any form of spiritual credit to us..

If.. it’s giving.. ..grudgingly.. or.. out of compulsion.. ++

Folks..

Here’s where the guilt can be let go..

No.. not the conviction..

But rather.. the guilt.. ++

Some of you hear us talk about areas of need… teachers, helpers, cleaners,…

And maybe you feel guilty..

But… what if you are actually not being called to be a part of those ministries?

God has something else for you. God doesn’t want you to teach kids. And if God doesn’t want you to… we don’t either..

so… is that’s you… hear about the needs… and don’t feel guilty.

But.. you are not being called.. in the slightest bit.. to be part of that ministry..

If that’s you..

You gotta let the guilt go..

Because if you signed up..

Out of obligation..

Your guilt might be temporarily appeased..

But God’s not going to be pleased. ++

Maybe you’re a non-giver..

And you have your reasons..

You’ve developed your justifications..

And now.. maybe you’re feeling guilty..

And your grumbling inwardly about maybe giving money you don’t want to give…

And you’re just a little bit mad.. ++

Hey.. if that’s you… let it go..

You’re set free..

We don’t want your money..

We want the offering… that God is going to be pleased with..

The one He’s going to bless you for.. ++

Some churches will use any form of manipulation to get those green-backs in the bank..

… but.. they are wrong to d it… ++

Most of us pastors find it difficult to speak on this topic..

Because.. it comes off as being “self serving”..

But.. it’s not self serving.

I don’t get a commission on the offering. ++

.. I just want to support the expenses that are necessary..

To provide this ministry back to you..

And.. to invest what is given..

To fulfill the great commission..

Both here.. and abroad. ++

To those who are guilty and grumbling..

You have been set free by vs. 7..

God finds delight.. in the one who makes a pre-determined offering..

And gives it.. w/joy in their heart…

God is not pleased… with someone who gives out of guilt, or need, or obligation.

2 Corinthians 9:8–10 ESV

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Here.. assurance is given to our doubts and our fears..

For some of us might think..

I cannot spare anything..

I cannot spare any money.

I cannot spare any time.

I cannot spare the energy.

And so on.. ++

Look what He says to us.. when we become blinded to reality..

by our mis-perceptions… ++

.. God is able to: ++

Able to do what?

ONE: make all grace abound toward you.

TWO: make you have all sufficiency in all things..

THREE: make you have.. an abundance for every good work. ++

Vs. 10 adds to it..

To the one who sows the seed..

God continues to provide.. the seed.

Here we see a mindset that God expects giving people to have. The things you give… your time, your energy… your money. Are those “your things?” Did you gain them on your own? - God would say… that He is your provider. He gave you the ability and the opportunity to gain what you have. God would want us to know… that everything we have, was given to us by Him.

He gives the seed, to the sower.

What you sow… what you give… God first, gave it to you.

Psalm 34:10 ESV

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Psalm 84:11 ESV

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Matthew 6:31–33 ESV

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:31–32 ESV

matt 6.31

Philippians 4:19 ESV

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:32 ESV

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

God calls His children to sow seeds… but God is the one who gives seeds to sow.

God gives us everything… and then.... God calls us to give some of it back to Him… as a faithful and obedient expression of acknowledgement… that He is our provider… and He is our Lord… and we are given to Him… and we are given to the needs of others.

And here’s the promise… that which is sown..

He will multiply..

Not, necessarily meaning.

That the multiplication is something that’s going to come back to you..

But rather..

If you give right..

God will cause that which you give..

.. to expand and multiply in its affect. ++

The understanding is..

That you are sowing these seeds in a righteous manner..

For the fruit that is promised..

Is not indicative of the gift..

But rather.. it’s indicative to the heart behind the giving.. ++

These verses support my simplistic view of giving..

I see it this way.. and I’ve shared this a hundred times..

I can’t say.. that God is my supplier.. or… my Provider

If I am unwilling to give back to Him.. a small portion.. of what He gave me. ++

And.. let’s not just get financial tunnel-vision here..

This principle applies.. across the board..

For He has given us.. talents.. gifts..

He has given us.. a mind..

He has given us.. energy..

He has given us.. breath and life..

He has given us.. comfort..

And so on.. and so on.. and so on.. ++

I cannot say… that He is my provider… and not respond to his Giving… with giving of my own.

2 Corinthians 9:11–15 ESV

11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Look what Paul is saying:

“There are going to be people thanking and praising God.. because of your willingness to give.”

Sure.. some misguided thanks and praise might come back to you..

But.. for the most part..

It’s going to go to God.. ++

You know what this helps us to do?

.. it helps us.. to remove the strings.. ++

Sometimes we want to serve, or give.. ..

But.. we have strings attached..

Some folks might want a plaque..

Some folks might only give, if they can designate to their favorite thing…

Some folks want recognition.. ++

But in reality..

These things hinder God from receiving.. what is due to Him..

It is a good thing.. to not only give anonymously..

But.. also.. to receive.. anonymously..

For.. in a circumstance like this..

.. you can assure..

That you.. the giver.. will not stand in the way of… of God.. getting His due. ++

I love how it ends..

“Thanks be to God.. for His indescribable gift!” ++

When we are obedient to offer a little of ourselves to the Lord..

You can count on it..

He’s going to take that seed.. which you have sown with a joyful heart..

And He’s going to multiply it..

And someone.. is going to benefit from it..

And someone.. is going to see the benefit of another..

And all parties involved..

Will see..

Not: an act of generosity from you. ++

No way..

The purpose behind your giving.. and the joy in it.. acts like a powerful fertilizer upon that seed..

Act.. as a powerful fertilizer upon that seed..

And God (vs. 10).. multiplies it..

And those who see it..

And those who benefit from it..

Can only say: Wow! ++

Look how I’ve been blessed….

Look at what God has done for me..

Look at the door which has opened unto me..

Look at this incredible opportunity!

Look at this miraculous provision..

It’s.. indescribable… ++

Conclusion.

Folks.. I understand.. and I’m very sensitive.. to the reactions that some might have to this topic..

There are pulpit pounders out there.. who rage over this topic.. continually..

(pocket book Ray) ++

Some think.. it’s necessary.. to harp the topic.. or else.. they’ll never make budget..

Many of us.. have been around this kind of abuse..

And it causes us to be.. sensitive.. and gun-shy.. ++

However..

It’s in the Bible..

We don’t harp the topic..

Unless the passage we happen to be in.. is harping it.. ++

Giving is not an unfamiliar topic in the Bible..

And from time to time..

We come to the topic.. in our verse by verse study..

With that said..

I encourage you..

To grow in the Lord.. ++

And if this is an area where you are not growing..

I pray.. that the H.S. will bring the willingness and the understanding to your heart.. ++

Forgive me of the constant fishing analogies..

But I’ve learned.

The ponds.. or the lakes that have the most amount of life in them..

Are the ones..

That have a continual amount of fresh water flowing in....

And a continual amount of water going out of it.. ++

In Israel.. the Sea of Galilee has been fished commercially for a really long time.. on a daily basis..

And yet.. it continues to team with life.. ++

Why?

Because the River Jordan pours in on one end..

The pipe-lines are drawing from it in the middle..

And the River Jordan.. is flowing again.. out the other side..

One of the most beautiful bodies of water in Virginia… is Lake Moomaw in Bath county..

That lake.. is incredible..

It is teeming with life..

It is clean.. and clear.. ++

Why?

Because it has a lot of healthy water coming in.. from the Jackson River… and Back Creek… two of the healthiest rivers in Virginia..

And yet.. at the same time..

It’s letting it back out.. ++

let me tell you about Clear Lake.. - It’s not clear.

It’s dark green..

One little out-let..

And yes.. there’s fish in there..

There are some game fish..

But mostly.. there are bullheads.. and carp.

Our lives.. on a spiritual level.. work the same way..

We too.. can be clean.. and teeming with life..

As long.. as we have the good stuff coming in..

And.. w/the right heart.. and the right determination..

We have.. the good stuff going out.. ++

Invitation: Prayer.

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