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2 Corinthians 9 Good Morning Brothers, I am enjoying the rainy weather this morning.
I think that this is probably one of the only places in the nation where
we see rain as an odd occurrence. When we get the rain isn't it
great? I woke up early this morning, listening to the rain beating
on the sheet-metal on our camping trailer. It certainly sounds good,
reminds me of the old days when I was raised on a farm in Kentucky, I was
caught in the barn many times when it was raining. Anyway, so much
for the weather, I believe that I was woke up early on purpose. When
I go to bed at night I will read the next day's passage so that my subconscious
can meditate on it all night. Sometimes I sleep too sound to notice,
but I woke up this morning thinking of what the Scripture had spoken to me.
Years ago I had an older brother suggest to me this habit, he told me that
it not only enhances your quiet time, but it gives your mind something better
to mull over than the negative news, or TV. I think that he had something. Thanks Phil for sharing the full story on
our Missionary Brother, I was inspired and enriched by the story, I hope
that everyone else experienced the same. Speaking of giving, not necessarily tithing,
which is a different animal all together. This chapter addresses good
will giving they are supporting Christians outside of their church.
We rob ourselves of blessings when we hold back on our finances, and on our
ability to give to others. vs., 1-9 I looked up superfluous, fancy
word meaning abundant or more than sufficient, more than is necessary.
Paul praises the Corinthians because their lives have ministered to the other
saints in the surrounding areas with their giving. They had a zeal
for giving and a readiness of heart to minister to the saints through giving.
They gave bountifully, which means in the Greek, "is a translation of the phrase ep'eulogiais,
lit., "with blessings" (RV marg.), that is, that blessings may accrue."—Vine's
Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. So, were the
Corinthians giving without expecting anything in return? No, they knew
that if they gave that they would receive blessings in the place of the gift.
God is responsible for that part. They knew who their money came from,
how often do we forget who gives us life and money, and who controls every
aspect of our lives. What does Lordship mean, except that He controls
every area of our lives? I was going to quote a verse here, and realized
that I would be pulling it out of context to do so, look at this: 37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn,
and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your
lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke
6:37-38 (NIV) How often have you heard this verse quoted in reference
to giving monetarily? It is speaking of giving judgment and gossip.
Look at it in context and it refers to people being critical of others, judging
your brother, and people stealing or taking advantage of you.
When we give this treatment to others, it will return not only the same,
but more. Just a side-note here, I thought it was important to point
out how easily it is to mis-use the Scripture by only quoting part of it. Back to our study, vs. 6-9, Hallelujah!
Makes me want to shout, here is our promise, if we give a little, we will
receive a little back, but if we give a lot, we will receive a lot back.
Sounds selfish, but it is not, it is a promise of God that we can stand on.
If our hearts are selfish, we need to speak these words to ourselves and
step into joyful giving. Isn't it better to be relying upon the Lord
for his blessings than hoarding our riches and worrying that we may lose
them? "Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart;
not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Cor
9:7 (NASB) Look at this, we are to give what is "purposed". God places
it in our heats what He wants us to give, all we have to do is listen to
Him and cheerfully give what He ask of us. I can remember many times
where I notice something and have the desire to place a certain amount in
the plate, or to pay for someone's meal, or even to pay for something that
someone else could not afford. I have not always submitted
to God's will, in fact most of the time I haven't, I did not realize
until now who was talking to my heart. Brothers, this is not misguided
sympathy or empathy, it is the quiet leading of the Holy Spirit. Are
we restricted just to monetary giving here? No, look at vs. 8 and 9,
good deeds are included here. Not only are good deeds included but
they have the same weight as giving money. Even if we don't have a
nickel to our name, we can still enjoy the joy of giving through helping
others. And it will be returned to us, bountifully. I get excited
thinking about it. vs. 10-15 This chapter is loaded with
promise after promise, it opens our eyes to the great benefits of serving
others, the gift of service. When we sow our seeds of gifts, these gifts
will grow and increase the harvest of our righteousness. (Look at the Luke
reference above, do you realize that we are sowing seeds constantly
in our lives? Every action that we take is a seed sown, whether good
or bad which will grow bountifully, just a thought.) In order
to become Christ-like, we give as He ask us, then as a direct result, our
minds and our beings are molded and enriched in Him. To put it in more
simple terms, if we give as He ask us to, we are actually making Him Lord
in our lives, we relinquish our control to Him. That is what we want,
isn't it? The proof of His Lordship in our lives is that we are obedient
to Him. He gave His life for us, and set the standard, He expects us
to desert our lives for His Life. I did not do justice to 10-15, but
I don't want to write a book either, please feel free to comment. Lord, I ask that as we all read through this
chapter on giving that You will speak to each of our hearts. Make us
receptive to Your will, drop the scales from our eyes so that we can see the
needs that You want us to give to. Open our eyes to the needs of others
and enable us to give our money, time and effort to fill those needs.
Thank You Lord for setting the example for us and for saving our souls. In Him, Joe Turner |
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Joe, Thanks for the devotion in 2 Corinthians 9.
Notice the references to grace: 2 Corinthians 8:1, 6, 7, 9, 19; 9:8, 14.
Lifted up the requests. IHG, Erik |
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