2 Corinthians 9
Today's Passage: 2 Corinthians 9
“Thank God for his Son — A gift too wonderful for words.”
2 Corinthians 9:15
In chapter nine, Paul calls the church at Corinth to a lifestyle of generosity and sacrificial giving. Giving is always a sensitive topic in churches, but can you imagine being in the Corinthian church and receiving this letter from Paul? “I’m sending these guys to make sure your gift is what I talked it up to be - so you’re not humiliated” (my paraphrase). Paul is pretty bold with them, but in doing so he helps us understand why generosity is necessary and how we are to be generous.
Why should we be generous? Because Christ is “a gift too wonderful for words.” The King of Kings was beaten, mocked, and crucified for our sins. He gave his life so that we would receive his righteousness, love, freedom, and acceptance from the Father. The gospel has to be the source of our generosity. Secondly, Paul states that two things happen when we give. Needs are being met, and God is praised (9:12-14). Not only is our generosity meeting the physical needs that people might have - it is a gospel witness that produces thanksgiving to God.
Do others know you are a follower of Jesus by the way you give?
How are we to be generous? Or to what degree? Paul states, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (9:6). I don’t think Paul is teaching us that if we give more presents we will get more presents. He’s telling us that generosity is gospel ministry! If we seek to see our city consumed with the gospel then generosity has to move from a budget line to a lifestyle. It should resemble Christ.
Let me clarify one thing - generosity is not simply money given to the church or someone in need. We can give with our time, our skills, serving in a ministry, or several different ways. Find where there is a need at church, at home, or work, and give so that Christ is known because you have been given “a gift too wonderful for words.”
Written By: Joe Weaver
“Thank God for his Son — A gift too wonderful for words.”
2 Corinthians 9:15
In chapter nine, Paul calls the church at Corinth to a lifestyle of generosity and sacrificial giving. Giving is always a sensitive topic in churches, but can you imagine being in the Corinthian church and receiving this letter from Paul? “I’m sending these guys to make sure your gift is what I talked it up to be - so you’re not humiliated” (my paraphrase). Paul is pretty bold with them, but in doing so he helps us understand why generosity is necessary and how we are to be generous.
Why should we be generous? Because Christ is “a gift too wonderful for words.” The King of Kings was beaten, mocked, and crucified for our sins. He gave his life so that we would receive his righteousness, love, freedom, and acceptance from the Father. The gospel has to be the source of our generosity. Secondly, Paul states that two things happen when we give. Needs are being met, and God is praised (9:12-14). Not only is our generosity meeting the physical needs that people might have - it is a gospel witness that produces thanksgiving to God.
Do others know you are a follower of Jesus by the way you give?
How are we to be generous? Or to what degree? Paul states, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (9:6). I don’t think Paul is teaching us that if we give more presents we will get more presents. He’s telling us that generosity is gospel ministry! If we seek to see our city consumed with the gospel then generosity has to move from a budget line to a lifestyle. It should resemble Christ.
Let me clarify one thing - generosity is not simply money given to the church or someone in need. We can give with our time, our skills, serving in a ministry, or several different ways. Find where there is a need at church, at home, or work, and give so that Christ is known because you have been given “a gift too wonderful for words.”
Written By: Joe Weaver
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