Sow and Reap
2 Cor 9:1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 Cor 9:2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
2 Cor 9:3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
2 Cor 9:4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
2 Cor 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up before hand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
Paul is using playful words to pry the conscience of the reluctant Corinthians to give. He is not giving them any excuses as to not being prepared with the offering when his men come to receive of him.
How many times have we made excuses to God for failing to do what is asked of us. Have we made promises to him that we have not kept? It may be all right with you or another when we make excuses to one another, but God knows the truth. Before we become overcome with our failings, remember, God loves us, He has given us all we need for a victorious life. Pick yourself up out of the ashes, dust off and continue in his love. You are loved by me and even more so from our Lord. These next verses are gold nuggets.
2 Cor 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Many have invested all they had in the stock market at its time of growth. Now many have lost much of this investment. The motive may have been greed? God's ways are opposite of ours. He says give it away to God's worthy causes in the motive of love and you will reap bountifully. You will be better off in your spirit afterwards.
2 Cor 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
The word cheerful is hilarious, exceeding joy.
2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
How many think God's grace is enough? Let's prove him, giving and receiving more grace for all our needs. We will have enough of all good things and we may abound in every good work. Every good work for Jesus will be blessed. Lord make me a blessing. Help me Lord to see as you see, with your eyes and with your heart.
He Has Given 2 Cor 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Psa 112:9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
Psa 112:10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Psa 113:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
The LORD blesses his people and cares for them. Worthy is the Lord to be praised.
2 Cor 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
All provisions come from God. If we give to those who proclaim God's word, we also receive a reward in the harvest of souls. The Lord also takes care of our needs, and increases grace in us as we give to others in money and in deeds of love. We will increase as we use what God has provided for us.
Phil 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
2Cor 9:11 (NLT)
Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God.
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So two good things will happen--the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanksgiving to God.
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You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. For your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.
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And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you.
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Thank God for his Son--a gift too wonderful for words!
We are joint heirs with Jesus, as he did good we shall do good. All good is from above.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
We are his light in a darkened world. Also, as with Israel all the world is closing in on the Christians. The darkness hates the light. They would do away with the name of Jesus. As Christians in Jerusalem in Paul's time were being persecuted there is persecution today. Let us be sensitive to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are one in Him.
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