-8-
Faithfulness - Put your Money Where Your Mouth is.
chapters 8:1-24, and 9:1-15
2Co 8:1 ¶ Now, my brothers, we must tell you about the grace that God has given to the Macedonian churches.
In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he has covered a lot of ground.
He upset a lot of people when he wrote First Corinthians, (it was a harsh letter of correction for the many wrong-doings of the church,) and in that letter he indicated that he would shortly be leaving Ephesus for Macedonia. On the way he would stop in and visit the Corinthians.
However, he passed them by. Some were disappointed. Others, who did not like Paul anyway, used it to criticize him and call him untrustworthy. So Paul had to explain himself in the opening section of this book.
And then, knowing of the various factions within the church, he did some writing to specific individual groups. He spoke to those of Jewish background. At one point he is talking to those who would not admit that Paul was really an apostle.
But now he is getting to a very important and particular subject.
In chapters 8 and 9 Paul is talking about money and giving. He is not talking about generosity in general. He has a very specific aim.
Paul has been emphasizing this particular thing for years and in many places throughout Asia as he traveled and planted churches. Quite early in Paul's ministry, a prophet by the name of Agabus made a prediction. This would be about AD 38 or so. Here is some interesting background in Acts chapter 11.
“25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul. When he found him he brought him to Antioch. Then for a whole year they met together with the Church and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first given the name "Christians".
During this period some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
One of them by the name of Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there was to be a great famine throughout the world. (This actually happened in the days of Claudius.)
The disciples determined to send relief to the brothers in Judaea, each contributing as he was able. This they did, sending their contribution to the elders there personally through Barnabas and Saul.” Acts 11:25-30
Let’s ‘recap’ these verses:
- Barnabas introduces Paul to the Antioch church.
- The church grows dramatically and the people are called ‘Christians’ for the very first time.
- The Antioch church receives visitors from Jerusalem, … prophets
- A prediction is made by prophet Agabus that a severe famine was coming.
Agabus did not give a date when to expect the famine, he simply said it was coming, but Luke, the writer of Acts, said that it came in the days of emperor Claudius. So it is possible to find the exact date of the famine by checking historical records.
When we read the last part of this passage it is very easy to assume that the famine could happen, was likely to happen, perhaps in that very growing season, and that they had better take an offering right away and send it to Jerusalem as soon as possible.
That is not what happened. What actually happened is that Paul and Barnabas would continue collecting money until the famine would hit … then they would take it all there.
By looking into historical records we discover that there actually were four famines that hit during the rule of Claudius. One of the famines in particular affected Judea. We believe that this is the one that Agabus predicted.
When did it happen? Would you believe … about 8 years later.
Claudius reigned for 13 years … the fourth famine particularly affected Judea. With a bit of investigating we come up with a famine that occurred in Judea area about 8 years from the time that Agabus made the prediction.
The Christians, especially those living right in the city of Jerusalem, were particularly poor. The first cause for their poverty is due to their having had ‘all things in common’ at the very beginning. You remember, a large group accepted Christ, and were baptised on the day of Pentecost, 3000 in fact. Most of these were visiting Jews that lived in cities and areas scattered all over Asia. Lead by Barnabas initiative, they sold their extra properties and moved to Jerusalem. Their lives dramatically changed forever. From that point on, they could never, would never live their lives outside the church again. Jerusalem is where the church was. It was the only church in existence. Many had left their jobs to move there. No problem … there needs would be met, because everybody had everything in common. The church would have an income from those who had work … but it was not enough. The funds eventually were depleted.
Living in Jerusalem When the famine hit, these people were really in bad shape.
But, even though no one knew at the time, the famine would not hit until 8 or so years later. The prediction of hard times comes from Acts chapter 11. It is not until Acts chapter 13 that God tells the Antioch church to single out Barnabas and Paul for missionary work.
These two (with Barnabas’ nephew accompanying them) started out on what we know as the First missionary tour. We have no record of how much time it would take once they arrive at a town, to get a group together … get them to accept Jesus as Savior, baptize them, organize them into a church … appoint someone to be their teacher/preacher … and then move on to the next town and do it all again.
As we read through the book of Acts we get the opinion that ‘church planting’ is all that was happening. But more was going on. Paul was telling each group to set aside money for the famine that was going to hit Judea. Everywhere that Paul and Barnabas went, the collection for Judea was emphasized. Beside being a missionary, preaching the gospel and planting churches, this was a super organized ‘relief effort’ lead by Paul.
Here is where our chapters in 2 Corinthians fit in. When we get to verse 10 and 11 of this chapter (8), we will note that Paul has previously told the Corinthian church about the coming famine and had taken a ‘pledge’ from them. That is, he would not take their money now, but would pick it up when he is finally heading back to Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians was written during Paul’s third missionary journey. Years have passed since Paul first asked the Corinthians to start a collection.
Can you imagine the faith that it would take to keep asking for ‘relief’ money, year after year, with no famine in sight? I would not be surprised if this ‘offering collection’ ministry of Paul’s was another source of criticism by Paul’s critics in the Corinthian church.
Paul, at the beginning of this chapter, is going to address the collection … but even more important … the matter of faithfulness. The Corinthians had promised. They had pledged money. So far it looks like they have nothing collected.
For this reason Paul starts off by mentioning what he has discovered after arriving in Macedonia. As he mentions the generous giving spirit of the Christians there, it is with the idea to spur the Corinthians into action.
1 ¶ Now, my brothers, we must tell you about the grace that God has given to the Macedonian churches.
2 Somehow, in most difficult circumstances, their overflowing joy and the fact of being down to their last penny themselves, produced a magnificent concern for other people.
3 I can guarantee that they were willing to give to the limit of their means, yes and beyond their means, without the slightest urging from me or anyone else.
4 In fact they simply begged us to accept their gifts and so let them share the honour of supporting their brothers in Christ.
5 Nor was their gift, as I must confess I had expected, a mere cash payment. Instead they made a complete dedication of themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because God willed it.
Wow! That should do it! The Corinthians should be impressed. In no time they should have a huge offering to send to Jerusalem.
The churches of Macedonia are an example to us. God wants us to first give ourselves to Him … and then open our hearts wide to the need of Christian brothers and sisters in need. After that, God wants us to open our hearts to those outside the church who are in need.
Galatians 6:10 Let us then do good to all men as opportunity offers, especially to those who belong to the Christian household
Paul’s words to the Galatians would be similar in all of the churches that he visited. The poor and hungry Christians in Jerusalem and Judea are, what Paul calls, ‘the Christian household’. He is saying that they come first in priority, even before those of their local community. Why?
I would say for at least a couple of reasons: a, God loves them as family, b, God wants his ‘household’ to be an attractive place. He wants it to be a place of warmth, love, support, and generosity. He wants outsiders to take note of that. They should be thinking … “I want that too. This looks like a place where I will get cared for”.
So Paul uses the Christian churches in the province of Macedonia, as examples of care and generosity. He points out that some of them were in bad shape financially. They gave anyway. They gave of their money that was ‘ear-marked’ for their own livelihood. Paul even indicates that when he told them about the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem … they begged him to take their money.
A big part of what Paul says here is pointing out to the Corinthians, (and to us) that, before any giving took place, they first gave themselves to the Lord. After explaining that to the Corinthians, he wants to remind them of their previous pledge. He tells them,
6 Now this has made us ask Titus, who began this task, to complete it by arranging for you to share in this work of generosity.
We don’t know how the Corinthians would react to this ‘reminder’, but it seems that Paul thought a bit more convincing would be helpful. What he says now sounds a bit like flattery or at least psychology.
7 ¶ Already you are well to the fore in every good quality — you have faith, you can express that faith in words; you have knowledge, enthusiasm and your love for us. Could you not add generosity to your virtues?
He lists several very good traits or qualities that he has seen in the Corinthians: Faith, Testifying, knowledge, enthusiasm and love. That would make them feel good. Then he alludes to something that is apparently missing. He says ...add generosity to the list.
8 I don’t give you this as an order. It is only my suggestion, prompted by what I have seen in others of eagerness to help, that here is a way to prove the reality of your love.
Paul gives one of the biggest motivating reasons of all
9 Do you remember the generosity of Jesus Christ, the Lord of us all? He was rich, yet he became poor for your sakes so that his poverty might make you rich.
What better example is there? Jesus gave. The words in verse 9 tell us that this gift of Jesus was essential. Jesus did it for our sakes. We were in bad trouble without the gift of Jesus. We were headed straight to hell. And we were headed there, not because we were getting worse and worse. We were headed there because we had never admitted to ourselves that that is where we were headed. We had never agreed to the fact that the only way off of that road was to ask Him to take us off of it.
Paul, in a certain way, is suggesting that the Jerusalem believers are in real trouble … and would they please do for the Christians there, what Jesus did for them? Does thinking about this motivate you? Do you remember your impossible sin debt that Jesus came and canceled for you?
I suppose it would be good to mention how this verse has been misused. Some preachers have singled this verse right out of its context and simply preached … God wants Christians to be rich. Usually it is the ones preaching that are getting rich. They suggest sending some ‘seed’ money to them, and then watch how God will cause the money to come rolling into your bank account.
As you can tell from the context, Paul did not give the verse for that reason. He gave it merely to show that Christians should respond to legitimate needs, just like Jesus did. He goes on;
10 Here is my opinion in the matter. I think it would be a good thing for you, who were the first a year ago to think of helping, as well as the first to give, 11 to carry through what you then intended to do. Finish it, then, as well as your means allow, and show that you can complete what you set out to do with as much readiness as you showed eagerness to begin.
The subject may have began as an appeal toward generosity. It presented a real need, but now it goes much deeper. Now it has to do with keeping one's word. The words Faithful and Trustworthy come to mind
There might have been those who would have turned this back on Paul at this point. Paul had promised to visit them on the way to Macedonia … but then he passed them by. Paul explained his real reason for passing them by, and it was not because he was untrustworthy.
Now Paul talks to them about being trustworthy. We promise things, sometimes very quickly. Someone has a need … we promise to pray for them. And then we don’t, or we don’t remember them for long. We say to a person that we have kind of lost touch with … Let’s get together soon for a coffee … but then we don’t. Good intentions. Are we sometimes a little too free with our commitments? Paul expects that Christians will be people of their word.
He gives one more reason that underscores the importance of being generous and trustworthy.
12 - 15 After all, the important thing is to be willing to give as much as we can—that is what God accepts, and no one is asked to give what he has not got. Of course, I don’t mean that others should be relieved to an extent that leaves you in distress. It is a matter of share and share alike. At present your plenty should supply their need, and then at some future date their plenty may supply your need. In that way we share with each other, as the scripture says, ‘He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack’.
Paul said, “Your plenty should supply their need”. That is, the Corinthians plenty, for Judea’s need. Paul says that it all equals itself out in the end. What if it doesn’t? Well, it is not over until payday in heaven.
Paul moves from generosity to trustworthiness …. and then to integrity.
Let’s read on;
16-21 Thank God Titus feels the same deep concern for you as we do! He accepts the suggestion outlined above, and in his enthusiasm comes to you personally at his own request. We are sending with him that brother whose services to the Gospel are universally praised in the churches. He has been unanimously chosen to travel with us in this work of administering the gifts of others. It is a task that brings glory to God and demonstrates also the willingness of us Christians to help each other. Naturally we want to avoid the slightest breath of criticism in the distribution of their gifts, and to be absolutely above-board not only in the sight of God but in the eyes of men.
Well , ready or not … here comes Titus. Sounds like just a little bit of pressure? Just a little bit of ‘manipulation’? I don’t think so. Not from God’s perspective and not from Paul’s. Perhaps from our perspective. Why? I think we have grown very independent in our thinking. We are very quick to think … Hey, giving is my business. It’s between me and God. Don't try to manipulate me!
Paul was an apostle. He was sent by God. He had every right to talk to the Corinthians like he did. And He has every right to talk to us like that because this is God’s word written to us every bit as much as it was written to the Corinthians.
Titus is coming to pick up the money.
Another brother is mentioned … as having been unanimously chosen by the Apostolic leadership group.
With these two, Paul says, we are sending a third person. He says,
22-24 With these two we are also sending our brother, of whose keenness we have ample proof and whose interest is especially aroused on this occasion as he has such confidence in you. As for Titus, he is our colleague and partner in your affairs, and both the brothers are official messengers of the Church and shining examples of their faith. So do let them, and all the churches see how genuine is your love, and justify all the nice things we have said about you!
Well. Three men are going to show up! A little heavy. A bit threatening? It might seem that way, but what we see here is ‘integrity in action’. Paul has said on other occasions, ‘By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established’. This is an ancient Old Testament law. Paul includes it as a good way to ensure integrity and honesty.
So Paul kind of finishes with this thought … If you don’t do this, it is going to make you look bad … in all the churches of Asia. Here is some (in my opinion) tongue in cheek … Paul says,
9: 1-5 Of course I know it is really quite superfluous for me to be writing to you about this matter of giving to fellow Christians, for I know how willing you are. Indeed I have told the Macedonians with some pride that “Achaia (Corinth and area) was ready to undertake this service twelve months ago”. Your enthusiasm has consequently been a stimulus to many of them. I am, however, sending the brothers just to make sure that our pride in you is not unjustified. For, between ourselves, it would never do if some of the Macedonians were to accompany me on my visit to you and find you unprepared for this act of generosity! We (not to speak of you) should be horribly ashamed, just because we had been so proud and confident of you. This is my reason, then, for urging the brothers to visit you before I come myself, so that they can get your promised gift ready in good time. But, having let you into my confidence, I should like it to be a spontaneous gift, and not money squeezed out of you by what I have said.
OK church … put your money where you mouth is! Be generous. Be honest and trustworthy. Use the greatest of integrity.
But then he leaves them with one more word (or jab?)
6. All I will say is that poor sowing means a poor harvest, and generous sowing means a generous harvest.
That ends Paul's motivational speech. Paul could just leave it there and expect results. But I am thankful that he now does a little teaching that goes beyond anything he has said so far.
What he says next is actually possible. The Corinthians, as they are reading this, are perhaps thinking this way: 'Paul is right. We DID promise. We better get busy and start asking for money. If we don't we are going to be very embarrassed. We will never hear the end of it.'
If that is what they are thinking … their giving would be under compulsion. They would do it because they felt the pressure. But Paul says that a person can think about all the elements:
7 Let everyone give as his heart tells him, neither grudgingly nor under compulsion, for God loves the man who gives cheerfully.
8 God can give you more than you can ever need, so that you may always have sufficient for yourselves and enough left over to give to every good cause. 9 As the scripture says: He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever. 10 He who gives the seed to the sower and bread to eat, will give you the seed of generosity to sow and will make it grow into a harvest of good deeds done.
11 The more you are enriched the more scope will there be for generous giving, and your gifts, administered through us, will mean that many will thank God.
12 For your giving does not end in meeting the wants of your fellow-Christians. It also results in an overflowing tide of thanksgiving to God.
13 Moreover, your very giving proves the reality of your faith, and that means that men thank God that you practise the gospel of Christ that you profess to believe in, as well as for the actual gifts your fellowship makes to them and to others.
14 And yet further, men will pray for you and feel drawn to you because you have obviously received a generous measure of the grace of God.
2Co 9:15 Thank God, then, for his indescribable generosity to you!
God is so good. He will do marvelous things. All He wants is your heart. As the Macedonians did, let's make sure that before we continue to live out our Christian lives, we make certain that we have first given ourselves to God.
In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he has covered a lot of ground.
He upset a lot of people when he wrote First Corinthians, (it was a harsh letter of correction for the many wrong-doings of the church,) and in that letter he indicated that he would shortly be leaving Ephesus for Macedonia. On the way he would stop in and visit the Corinthians.
However, he passed them by. Some were disappointed. Others, who did not like Paul anyway, used it to criticize him and call him untrustworthy. So Paul had to explain himself in the opening section of this book.
And then, knowing of the various factions within the church, he did some writing to specific individual groups. He spoke to those of Jewish background. At one point he is talking to those who would not admit that Paul was really an apostle.
But now he is getting to a very important and particular subject.
In chapters 8 and 9 Paul is talking about money and giving. He is not talking about generosity in general. He has a very specific aim.
Paul has been emphasizing this particular thing for years and in many places throughout Asia as he traveled and planted churches. Quite early in Paul's ministry, a prophet by the name of Agabus made a prediction. This would be about AD 38 or so. Here is some interesting background in Acts chapter 11.
“25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul. When he found him he brought him to Antioch. Then for a whole year they met together with the Church and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first given the name "Christians".
During this period some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
One of them by the name of Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there was to be a great famine throughout the world. (This actually happened in the days of Claudius.)
The disciples determined to send relief to the brothers in Judaea, each contributing as he was able. This they did, sending their contribution to the elders there personally through Barnabas and Saul.” Acts 11:25-30
Let’s ‘recap’ these verses:
- Barnabas introduces Paul to the Antioch church.
- The church grows dramatically and the people are called ‘Christians’ for the very first time.
- The Antioch church receives visitors from Jerusalem, … prophets
- A prediction is made by prophet Agabus that a severe famine was coming.
Agabus did not give a date when to expect the famine, he simply said it was coming, but Luke, the writer of Acts, said that it came in the days of emperor Claudius. So it is possible to find the exact date of the famine by checking historical records.
When we read the last part of this passage it is very easy to assume that the famine could happen, was likely to happen, perhaps in that very growing season, and that they had better take an offering right away and send it to Jerusalem as soon as possible.
That is not what happened. What actually happened is that Paul and Barnabas would continue collecting money until the famine would hit … then they would take it all there.
By looking into historical records we discover that there actually were four famines that hit during the rule of Claudius. One of the famines in particular affected Judea. We believe that this is the one that Agabus predicted.
When did it happen? Would you believe … about 8 years later.
Claudius reigned for 13 years … the fourth famine particularly affected Judea. With a bit of investigating we come up with a famine that occurred in Judea area about 8 years from the time that Agabus made the prediction.
The Christians, especially those living right in the city of Jerusalem, were particularly poor. The first cause for their poverty is due to their having had ‘all things in common’ at the very beginning. You remember, a large group accepted Christ, and were baptised on the day of Pentecost, 3000 in fact. Most of these were visiting Jews that lived in cities and areas scattered all over Asia. Lead by Barnabas initiative, they sold their extra properties and moved to Jerusalem. Their lives dramatically changed forever. From that point on, they could never, would never live their lives outside the church again. Jerusalem is where the church was. It was the only church in existence. Many had left their jobs to move there. No problem … there needs would be met, because everybody had everything in common. The church would have an income from those who had work … but it was not enough. The funds eventually were depleted.
Living in Jerusalem When the famine hit, these people were really in bad shape.
But, even though no one knew at the time, the famine would not hit until 8 or so years later. The prediction of hard times comes from Acts chapter 11. It is not until Acts chapter 13 that God tells the Antioch church to single out Barnabas and Paul for missionary work.
These two (with Barnabas’ nephew accompanying them) started out on what we know as the First missionary tour. We have no record of how much time it would take once they arrive at a town, to get a group together … get them to accept Jesus as Savior, baptize them, organize them into a church … appoint someone to be their teacher/preacher … and then move on to the next town and do it all again.
As we read through the book of Acts we get the opinion that ‘church planting’ is all that was happening. But more was going on. Paul was telling each group to set aside money for the famine that was going to hit Judea. Everywhere that Paul and Barnabas went, the collection for Judea was emphasized. Beside being a missionary, preaching the gospel and planting churches, this was a super organized ‘relief effort’ lead by Paul.
Here is where our chapters in 2 Corinthians fit in. When we get to verse 10 and 11 of this chapter (8), we will note that Paul has previously told the Corinthian church about the coming famine and had taken a ‘pledge’ from them. That is, he would not take their money now, but would pick it up when he is finally heading back to Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians was written during Paul’s third missionary journey. Years have passed since Paul first asked the Corinthians to start a collection.
Can you imagine the faith that it would take to keep asking for ‘relief’ money, year after year, with no famine in sight? I would not be surprised if this ‘offering collection’ ministry of Paul’s was another source of criticism by Paul’s critics in the Corinthian church.
Paul, at the beginning of this chapter, is going to address the collection … but even more important … the matter of faithfulness. The Corinthians had promised. They had pledged money. So far it looks like they have nothing collected.
For this reason Paul starts off by mentioning what he has discovered after arriving in Macedonia. As he mentions the generous giving spirit of the Christians there, it is with the idea to spur the Corinthians into action.
1 ¶ Now, my brothers, we must tell you about the grace that God has given to the Macedonian churches.
2 Somehow, in most difficult circumstances, their overflowing joy and the fact of being down to their last penny themselves, produced a magnificent concern for other people.
3 I can guarantee that they were willing to give to the limit of their means, yes and beyond their means, without the slightest urging from me or anyone else.
4 In fact they simply begged us to accept their gifts and so let them share the honour of supporting their brothers in Christ.
5 Nor was their gift, as I must confess I had expected, a mere cash payment. Instead they made a complete dedication of themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because God willed it.
Wow! That should do it! The Corinthians should be impressed. In no time they should have a huge offering to send to Jerusalem.
The churches of Macedonia are an example to us. God wants us to first give ourselves to Him … and then open our hearts wide to the need of Christian brothers and sisters in need. After that, God wants us to open our hearts to those outside the church who are in need.
Galatians 6:10 Let us then do good to all men as opportunity offers, especially to those who belong to the Christian household
Paul’s words to the Galatians would be similar in all of the churches that he visited. The poor and hungry Christians in Jerusalem and Judea are, what Paul calls, ‘the Christian household’. He is saying that they come first in priority, even before those of their local community. Why?
I would say for at least a couple of reasons: a, God loves them as family, b, God wants his ‘household’ to be an attractive place. He wants it to be a place of warmth, love, support, and generosity. He wants outsiders to take note of that. They should be thinking … “I want that too. This looks like a place where I will get cared for”.
So Paul uses the Christian churches in the province of Macedonia, as examples of care and generosity. He points out that some of them were in bad shape financially. They gave anyway. They gave of their money that was ‘ear-marked’ for their own livelihood. Paul even indicates that when he told them about the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem … they begged him to take their money.
A big part of what Paul says here is pointing out to the Corinthians, (and to us) that, before any giving took place, they first gave themselves to the Lord. After explaining that to the Corinthians, he wants to remind them of their previous pledge. He tells them,
6 Now this has made us ask Titus, who began this task, to complete it by arranging for you to share in this work of generosity.
We don’t know how the Corinthians would react to this ‘reminder’, but it seems that Paul thought a bit more convincing would be helpful. What he says now sounds a bit like flattery or at least psychology.
7 ¶ Already you are well to the fore in every good quality — you have faith, you can express that faith in words; you have knowledge, enthusiasm and your love for us. Could you not add generosity to your virtues?
He lists several very good traits or qualities that he has seen in the Corinthians: Faith, Testifying, knowledge, enthusiasm and love. That would make them feel good. Then he alludes to something that is apparently missing. He says ...add generosity to the list.
8 I don’t give you this as an order. It is only my suggestion, prompted by what I have seen in others of eagerness to help, that here is a way to prove the reality of your love.
Paul gives one of the biggest motivating reasons of all
9 Do you remember the generosity of Jesus Christ, the Lord of us all? He was rich, yet he became poor for your sakes so that his poverty might make you rich.
What better example is there? Jesus gave. The words in verse 9 tell us that this gift of Jesus was essential. Jesus did it for our sakes. We were in bad trouble without the gift of Jesus. We were headed straight to hell. And we were headed there, not because we were getting worse and worse. We were headed there because we had never admitted to ourselves that that is where we were headed. We had never agreed to the fact that the only way off of that road was to ask Him to take us off of it.
Paul, in a certain way, is suggesting that the Jerusalem believers are in real trouble … and would they please do for the Christians there, what Jesus did for them? Does thinking about this motivate you? Do you remember your impossible sin debt that Jesus came and canceled for you?
I suppose it would be good to mention how this verse has been misused. Some preachers have singled this verse right out of its context and simply preached … God wants Christians to be rich. Usually it is the ones preaching that are getting rich. They suggest sending some ‘seed’ money to them, and then watch how God will cause the money to come rolling into your bank account.
As you can tell from the context, Paul did not give the verse for that reason. He gave it merely to show that Christians should respond to legitimate needs, just like Jesus did. He goes on;
10 Here is my opinion in the matter. I think it would be a good thing for you, who were the first a year ago to think of helping, as well as the first to give, 11 to carry through what you then intended to do. Finish it, then, as well as your means allow, and show that you can complete what you set out to do with as much readiness as you showed eagerness to begin.
The subject may have began as an appeal toward generosity. It presented a real need, but now it goes much deeper. Now it has to do with keeping one's word. The words Faithful and Trustworthy come to mind
There might have been those who would have turned this back on Paul at this point. Paul had promised to visit them on the way to Macedonia … but then he passed them by. Paul explained his real reason for passing them by, and it was not because he was untrustworthy.
Now Paul talks to them about being trustworthy. We promise things, sometimes very quickly. Someone has a need … we promise to pray for them. And then we don’t, or we don’t remember them for long. We say to a person that we have kind of lost touch with … Let’s get together soon for a coffee … but then we don’t. Good intentions. Are we sometimes a little too free with our commitments? Paul expects that Christians will be people of their word.
He gives one more reason that underscores the importance of being generous and trustworthy.
12 - 15 After all, the important thing is to be willing to give as much as we can—that is what God accepts, and no one is asked to give what he has not got. Of course, I don’t mean that others should be relieved to an extent that leaves you in distress. It is a matter of share and share alike. At present your plenty should supply their need, and then at some future date their plenty may supply your need. In that way we share with each other, as the scripture says, ‘He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack’.
Paul said, “Your plenty should supply their need”. That is, the Corinthians plenty, for Judea’s need. Paul says that it all equals itself out in the end. What if it doesn’t? Well, it is not over until payday in heaven.
Paul moves from generosity to trustworthiness …. and then to integrity.
Let’s read on;
16-21 Thank God Titus feels the same deep concern for you as we do! He accepts the suggestion outlined above, and in his enthusiasm comes to you personally at his own request. We are sending with him that brother whose services to the Gospel are universally praised in the churches. He has been unanimously chosen to travel with us in this work of administering the gifts of others. It is a task that brings glory to God and demonstrates also the willingness of us Christians to help each other. Naturally we want to avoid the slightest breath of criticism in the distribution of their gifts, and to be absolutely above-board not only in the sight of God but in the eyes of men.
Well , ready or not … here comes Titus. Sounds like just a little bit of pressure? Just a little bit of ‘manipulation’? I don’t think so. Not from God’s perspective and not from Paul’s. Perhaps from our perspective. Why? I think we have grown very independent in our thinking. We are very quick to think … Hey, giving is my business. It’s between me and God. Don't try to manipulate me!
Paul was an apostle. He was sent by God. He had every right to talk to the Corinthians like he did. And He has every right to talk to us like that because this is God’s word written to us every bit as much as it was written to the Corinthians.
Titus is coming to pick up the money.
Another brother is mentioned … as having been unanimously chosen by the Apostolic leadership group.
With these two, Paul says, we are sending a third person. He says,
22-24 With these two we are also sending our brother, of whose keenness we have ample proof and whose interest is especially aroused on this occasion as he has such confidence in you. As for Titus, he is our colleague and partner in your affairs, and both the brothers are official messengers of the Church and shining examples of their faith. So do let them, and all the churches see how genuine is your love, and justify all the nice things we have said about you!
Well. Three men are going to show up! A little heavy. A bit threatening? It might seem that way, but what we see here is ‘integrity in action’. Paul has said on other occasions, ‘By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established’. This is an ancient Old Testament law. Paul includes it as a good way to ensure integrity and honesty.
So Paul kind of finishes with this thought … If you don’t do this, it is going to make you look bad … in all the churches of Asia. Here is some (in my opinion) tongue in cheek … Paul says,
9: 1-5 Of course I know it is really quite superfluous for me to be writing to you about this matter of giving to fellow Christians, for I know how willing you are. Indeed I have told the Macedonians with some pride that “Achaia (Corinth and area) was ready to undertake this service twelve months ago”. Your enthusiasm has consequently been a stimulus to many of them. I am, however, sending the brothers just to make sure that our pride in you is not unjustified. For, between ourselves, it would never do if some of the Macedonians were to accompany me on my visit to you and find you unprepared for this act of generosity! We (not to speak of you) should be horribly ashamed, just because we had been so proud and confident of you. This is my reason, then, for urging the brothers to visit you before I come myself, so that they can get your promised gift ready in good time. But, having let you into my confidence, I should like it to be a spontaneous gift, and not money squeezed out of you by what I have said.
OK church … put your money where you mouth is! Be generous. Be honest and trustworthy. Use the greatest of integrity.
But then he leaves them with one more word (or jab?)
6. All I will say is that poor sowing means a poor harvest, and generous sowing means a generous harvest.
That ends Paul's motivational speech. Paul could just leave it there and expect results. But I am thankful that he now does a little teaching that goes beyond anything he has said so far.
What he says next is actually possible. The Corinthians, as they are reading this, are perhaps thinking this way: 'Paul is right. We DID promise. We better get busy and start asking for money. If we don't we are going to be very embarrassed. We will never hear the end of it.'
If that is what they are thinking … their giving would be under compulsion. They would do it because they felt the pressure. But Paul says that a person can think about all the elements:
- There is a great and desperate need,
- We promised
- Others are all doing it
- Jesus gave everything for me.
- He has promised to repay those who give
7 Let everyone give as his heart tells him, neither grudgingly nor under compulsion, for God loves the man who gives cheerfully.
8 God can give you more than you can ever need, so that you may always have sufficient for yourselves and enough left over to give to every good cause. 9 As the scripture says: He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever. 10 He who gives the seed to the sower and bread to eat, will give you the seed of generosity to sow and will make it grow into a harvest of good deeds done.
11 The more you are enriched the more scope will there be for generous giving, and your gifts, administered through us, will mean that many will thank God.
12 For your giving does not end in meeting the wants of your fellow-Christians. It also results in an overflowing tide of thanksgiving to God.
13 Moreover, your very giving proves the reality of your faith, and that means that men thank God that you practise the gospel of Christ that you profess to believe in, as well as for the actual gifts your fellowship makes to them and to others.
14 And yet further, men will pray for you and feel drawn to you because you have obviously received a generous measure of the grace of God.
2Co 9:15 Thank God, then, for his indescribable generosity to you!
God is so good. He will do marvelous things. All He wants is your heart. As the Macedonians did, let's make sure that before we continue to live out our Christian lives, we make certain that we have first given ourselves to God.