Recently the stock market has tanked
pretty hard, losing almost all of its 2018 gains, with the outlook for 2019
fairly pessimistic. (Wait a minute, I thought this was a Bible study? It is,
hold on!) Savvy investors do their research and try to place smart bets on what
they think the outcome will be to maximize their return while minimizing their
risk. In 2 Corinthians 8-9, Paul gives
us a blueprint to realize some amazing gains that are guaranteed. But as is usual with God, it comes with a
hitch…
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart
to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver. And God is able to bless
you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you
need, you will abound in every good work.
Things to think about:
· Let’s start
with the end in mind. What are some of
the dividends we can expect if we give willingly and generously? According to
our passage and the succeeding verses:
o
You will have all that you need
(to quote one of my favorite pastors, “He supplies our needs, not our greeds”)
o
You will abound in every good work
o
It will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness (translation –
more people will be in Heaven because you gave)
o
More praise and thanksgiving will be given to God
o
You will experience the love of others
o
You will help meet the needs of people in the here and now
o
People will pray for you
· WOW, that’s a
lot of blessing!
o
Which of these are resonating with you right now? What about that particular blessing is
significant to you?
· But as our
text tells us, God doesn’t want us to give under compulsion or reluctantly.
o
Why do you think our attitude towards giving makes a big
difference to God?
o
Can you think of a time when you gave a gift to someone that you
were so excited give? What made it so
special?
§ Not that this
has happened to anybody reading this but how is that different than the last
minute, check the box gift?
· Chapter 8 of
2 Corinthians sets up chapter 9. In it,
we read that the Corinthians had made an enthusiastic pledge to support Paul’s
ministry to less fortunate Christians in Judea but they hadn’t quite gotten
around to writing the check.
o
Paul even says that the Macedonians had heard about the
Corinthians enthusiasm to give and as a result they gave lavishly even though
they were of limited means.
o
Now Paul was going to be seeing the Macedonians and didn’t want to
have to report that they actually hadn’t fulfilled their commitment.
· A very
interesting element in this (that may not sound very capitalistic to some ears)
is that no one should have too much while others have too little.
o
2 Cor. 8:15 - “The
one who gathered plenty didn’t have more than he needed; the one who gathered
little didn’t have less.”
o
This system also has a built-in insurance plan in v.14, “One
day it may be the other way around, and they will need to supply your needs
from what they have. That’s equality. “
· If you are in
a financially difficult season, in 2 Cor. 812-14, Paul has good news for you
too, “Now if
there is a willingness to help, give within your means. That’s perfectly
acceptable. No one expects you to go without or borrow to give. The
objective is not to go under so others will have some relief; the objective is
to use this opportunity today to supply their needs out of your abundance.
o
This was a bit of a new learning for me in that God doesn’t expect
our family to do without so we can legalistically meet a church
obligation.
§ How about
you, have you seen this before? What
does it tell you about God?
· Give
cheerfully and out of your ability and God has promised that your portfolio of benefits
will bless others, you, and Him!
· To go back to
the beginning of our topic, when we give it prompts thanks to God from
others. Maybe that’s one of the real
meanings of Thanks-Giving!
