"For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared; 4 otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to speak of you—will be put to shame by this confidence. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all
sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good
deed; 9 as it is written,
“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness endures forever.”
His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now 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; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
Good Morning Beloved,
Welcome to worship. We're so glad you're here.
Richard Burton once gave Elizabeth Taylor a 69-carat Cartier diamond, for her 40th birthday, it stunned the world. At the time, it was worth
1.5 million. By many, it was considered to be an indescribable gift.
However, there is no giving that is so glorious as Godly giving. God gave us the indescribable gift.
He gave us Jesus.
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
In our culture, there are some things we just don’t discuss, especially with others, however we all have ways of crying out for help, without ever saying a word. Often, these cries go unanswered because we're just not listening.
Luke 12:48 teaches us, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more."
Let's bow our heads in prayer.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the clear instruction in Your Word. Help us to acknowledge that now we are responsible for that instruction which we are about to receive. Open our eyes Lord, that we might see, many of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are hurting, who are suffering and have nothing.
Thank You for the abundance You give us, help us not to hold on it too tightly. Reveal to us the opportunities to lend a hand to those in need. Help us to realize that helping someone should not be based of what they have done, or their ability to do for us. But that helping others, we are being obedient to You. May You receive all the glory!
In Christ's name
Amen
Today's Message: The Indescribable Gift
In this marvelous portion of Scripture, Paul reminds the church at Corinth that they had made a commitment nearly a year earlier, which they had not followed though. In a very tactful, but also in a very firm way, Paul is letting them know, that much is at stake if they failed to be responsible to their word. It would affect the reputation of the church, of Paul, and more importantly, of Christ.
Then, Paul tells the church, that he has three men coming to collect the gift, and then in effect tells them that there is no giving like Godly giving. Godly giving is glorious giving.
In verse 1, Paul says "For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;"
Superfluous, περισσόν, in the Greek which means in excess of what required. It's excessive.
Paul wants to do right, and he wants the church at Corinth to do right. Paul is not questioning their willingness; he just wants to make sure that they do not procrastinate in doing what they had promised. The church at Jerusalem had needs and those needs needed to be met in a timely manner.
Christians, having good character ought to be punctual in keeping their appointments and their promises, and that is what Paul is telling the church at Corinth!
Paul had a purpose, and that purpose was to help the Church of Jerusalem. Paul was very sensitive to their needs, even though the church at Jerusalem could have been undeserving the entire concept of Grace giving allows one to give, whether it is deserved or not.
I John 3:17 says, "But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
This is an indictment against having a hardened heart against a brother who is in need. When a brother is in need, those who are blessed in having the goods of this world should be sensitive to that need. This specifically deals with the importance of being sensitive to the needs of others. Keep in mind this is a principle, and that there are other principles in the word of God to be considered when helping others. When it is obvious that someone is under the chastening hand of God, it is not appropriate to offset what God is doing by helping undo what God might be doing. Being sensitive means that you are first sensitive to God.
In verse 4, Paul says "otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to speak of you—will be put to shame by this confidence."
Paul wanted the church at Corinth to have more than good intentions. Someone said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Serving God should have the same urgency as the clause, "Today is the day of salvation". The devil’s today is tomorrow. However, we all have a marvelous opportunity to serve God today, with no promises of tomorrow.
Luke 12:48 teaches us, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more."
Let's bow our heads in prayer.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the clear instruction in Your Word. Help us to acknowledge that now we are responsible for that instruction which we are about to receive. Open our eyes Lord, that we might see, many of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are hurting, who are suffering and have nothing.
Thank You for the abundance You give us, help us not to hold on it too tightly. Reveal to us the opportunities to lend a hand to those in need. Help us to realize that helping someone should not be based of what they have done, or their ability to do for us. But that helping others, we are being obedient to You. May You receive all the glory!
In Christ's name
Amen
Today's Message: The Indescribable Gift
In this marvelous portion of Scripture, Paul reminds the church at Corinth that they had made a commitment nearly a year earlier, which they had not followed though. In a very tactful, but also in a very firm way, Paul is letting them know, that much is at stake if they failed to be responsible to their word. It would affect the reputation of the church, of Paul, and more importantly, of Christ.
Then, Paul tells the church, that he has three men coming to collect the gift, and then in effect tells them that there is no giving like Godly giving. Godly giving is glorious giving.
In verse 1, Paul says "For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;"
Superfluous, περισσόν, in the Greek which means in excess of what required. It's excessive.
Paul wants to do right, and he wants the church at Corinth to do right. Paul is not questioning their willingness; he just wants to make sure that they do not procrastinate in doing what they had promised. The church at Jerusalem had needs and those needs needed to be met in a timely manner.
Christians, having good character ought to be punctual in keeping their appointments and their promises, and that is what Paul is telling the church at Corinth!
Paul had a purpose, and that purpose was to help the Church of Jerusalem. Paul was very sensitive to their needs, even though the church at Jerusalem could have been undeserving the entire concept of Grace giving allows one to give, whether it is deserved or not.
I John 3:17 says, "But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
This is an indictment against having a hardened heart against a brother who is in need. When a brother is in need, those who are blessed in having the goods of this world should be sensitive to that need. This specifically deals with the importance of being sensitive to the needs of others. Keep in mind this is a principle, and that there are other principles in the word of God to be considered when helping others. When it is obvious that someone is under the chastening hand of God, it is not appropriate to offset what God is doing by helping undo what God might be doing. Being sensitive means that you are first sensitive to God.
In verse 4, Paul says "otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to speak of you—will be put to shame by this confidence."
Paul wanted the church at Corinth to have more than good intentions. Someone said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Serving God should have the same urgency as the clause, "Today is the day of salvation". The devil’s today is tomorrow. However, we all have a marvelous opportunity to serve God today, with no promises of tomorrow.
So many think that anything that they do
for the Lord will only be rewarded in heaven, and that there are no
earthly enjoyed benefits. God rewards the well- doing of the godly, not just in heaven, but in this world as well."
In verse 5, "So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness."
Paul is exhorting
the church to be ready for those collecting the money, and the gifts.
He told them that if they were not prepared, that there would be a
reason for their being ashamed for boasting of being ready when they
actually were not.
The same is true of our giving, would it not be sad and shameful to tell those in need, that we cannot take care of them, because we have not properly prepared ourselves to be a blessing to them. Would it not be a poor testimony to Christ I believe that God is preparing our hearts to give, by simply applying what Paul is teaching in this passage of Scripture.
Paul takes the commonly understood law of sowing and reaping, and uses it to challenge the giving ministry of the church at Corinth. He wanted to impress upon their minds that they were investing in eternity. He wanted them to know that the returns will far exceed the investment. There are at least four principles that relate to this law.
The first principle of investment, is you reap only as you sow. If you fail to sow generously, you obviously will not harvest generously.
The second principle is identity, you only reap what you sow. If you plant corn, there is absolutely no chance that you'll harvest wheat.
I'd like to point out, that this principle of the law applies to everything. If you plant hate then you will grow hatred. If you plant love you will reap love in return. The blessings or the curse will come back in like kind.
The third principle of increase: You reap more than you sow. This is the law that guarantees our survival. There are many churches across the nation, that have closed their doors for the last time because they either did not understand this law or simply ignored it.
The same is true of our giving, would it not be sad and shameful to tell those in need, that we cannot take care of them, because we have not properly prepared ourselves to be a blessing to them. Would it not be a poor testimony to Christ I believe that God is preparing our hearts to give, by simply applying what Paul is teaching in this passage of Scripture.
In verses 6, Paul says, "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all
sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good
deed; as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever."
Paul takes the commonly understood law of sowing and reaping, and uses it to challenge the giving ministry of the church at Corinth. He wanted to impress upon their minds that they were investing in eternity. He wanted them to know that the returns will far exceed the investment. There are at least four principles that relate to this law.
The first principle of investment, is you reap only as you sow. If you fail to sow generously, you obviously will not harvest generously.
The second principle is identity, you only reap what you sow. If you plant corn, there is absolutely no chance that you'll harvest wheat.
I'd like to point out, that this principle of the law applies to everything. If you plant hate then you will grow hatred. If you plant love you will reap love in return. The blessings or the curse will come back in like kind.
The third principle of increase: You reap more than you sow. This is the law that guarantees our survival. There are many churches across the nation, that have closed their doors for the last time because they either did not understand this law or simply ignored it.
The fourth principle of interval: You reap after you sow. This is the principle of the law that demands faith and patience as you give.
Paul says in verse 7, "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Beloved, giving involves a Godly love. God loves a cheerful giver because He loves giving. Giving should never be done without one preparing his heart so that he can give in a loving way. When one gives this way he will experience joy that cannot be described. Giving God’s way is far better and can be repeated over and over again. Because God is our source.
The more we experience the love of God, the more we will give in a cheerful manner. I pray every aspect of our giving will be done in this manner.
Verses 8 and 9, is in respect to the latitude of sowing, or in other words, our giving.
"And God is able to
make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever."
God determines the latitude of our giving. Now, when I say latitude, I am referring to the potential that comes when God blesses. Every commitment needs to be made to God, and through God. Every giving commitment should take in consideration that God is the source, our supplier, because "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"
If every time that you give you have calculated it, and you feel that you are able to do it. Why not give and give when you are not able to calculate how you are going to do it? Get alone with God, and ask Him what He wants you to do? Have you ever given in such a way that you appear to be taking a risk, but then you are impressed by God that that is exactly what you should I have found my greatest giving joy when I give this way, believing that God will supply. I have frequently given this way, to make sure that I don't ever get to the place that I am afraid to trust God. God has never once let me down!
God is the supplier of our needs, so that we can meet the needs of others. Paul is showing that many good things are happening when you are cheerful, and not fearful in your giving. He is showing that many good things are happening when you are glad, and not sad or mad in your giving.
In verses 10-12, it says, "Now 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; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God."
The glorious giver has absolutely no reason to distrust God. God has repeatedly shown His goodness to all every day, in every way. The Book of Romans tells us that the goodness of God leads men to repentance. And it is the goodness of God that allows the seed to go to the sower as verse 10 tells us, "Now 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;"
The grace of God will supply the needs of those who are obedient to His Word, doing His will. Paul teaches us in verses 13 through 15, which says, "Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
Whether we deserve it or not, God will continue to be our strength and our portion because of His wonderful Amazing Grace. As we give, He will continue to give through us, and for us.
The gift to be given, in our text, it is referred to as seed. Seed has such a small beginning, however, it has so much growth potential. The word "multiply" is used in verse 10 to illustrate this in a quantitative sense. How generous God is to the generous giver. Allow me to remind you, that we can never out give God.
Just knowing that God loves a cheerful giver should be more than enough to inspire and challenge us to prayerfully give, as we ought to.
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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