As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.
2 Corinthians 9:9-13
The more one gives to others, the more one is enriched, and thus he can be generous on every occasion. Such a generous spirit toward others results in more and more people giving thanksgiving to God.
One expression of this generosity was the collection given to the Jerusalem saints, administered by Paul. Not only would this service meet the pressing needs of Jerusalem Christians but it would also overflow in many expressions of thanks to God and bring glory to God. The Corinthian participation in this charitable gesture would demonstrate the reality of their confession and the vitality of their spiritual lives.
Because the Corinthians sent material aid, they reaped the intercessory prayers of the Jerusalem Christians who in praising God invoked His blessings on their Corinthian brethren. This spirit of selflessness is a consequence of God’s surpassing grace supremely expressed in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Heirs To The Best Gift
Believers are to glorify God because of His favors bestowed on them. His greatest gift, salvation, through His Son who became poor that the believer might be made rich. Such a gift is indescribable. Those who have benefited from such a spiritual gift should not hesitate to benefit others with material gifts. The Corinthians finished this work and sent a gift to Jerusalem.
When you gave to the Lord did you feel it to be your duty or your joy to do so? Hopefully you did so out of your love for Christ, thus it became a joy to do so. Remember, “God loves a cheerful giver.” Oh, and remember, your tithe is not giving. The tithe already belongs to God and we just return to Him what is His. Amen and amen.
