Message

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God loves a Cheerful Giver

2 Corinthians 8:16-9:15

Key Verse: 9:7 “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.”

Last week we studied how Paul urged the Corinthian Church to complete their contribution which they had promised for the Jerusalem Church. In order to encourage the Corinthian Church Paul introduced Macedonian churches’ contribution as a good example. The Macedonian churches believed that all things came from God, so it is good to return all things to God by sharing what they have with others. They gave themselves first before they gave their offerings to God. They offered beyond their ability even amid extreme poverty. Now, Paul’s appeals to the Corinthian church for the offering continues. In today’s passage, Paul teaches us how God blesses those who offer generously and what kind of attitude toward offering we must have.

First, Titus sent to receive the collection (8:16-9:5) Before Paul visited Corinth, he would send Titus and two other delegates in advance to collect the contribution. Paul said that Titus was his partner and coworker who had the same concern for the contribution. He said that the other two are representative of the churches and an honor to Christ. (23) Paul sent these three reliable and trustworthy leaders to collect the money so that he might avoid any criticism and unnecessary conflict (20) Paul said in verse 21. “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” Paul loved the church and respected them in the Lord. Even though he was the founder of the church, he did not administer it for himself. He respected the church and wanted to live right in the sight of God and in the sight of people. As he said, Paul served the Lord and the church with humility, gentleness, and a clear conscience. (10:1)

Now Paul urges the Corinthian Church to be prepared in advance and be ready to give the contribution before these three delegates arrived. According to 9:2, it was the Corinthian church who had initiated the contribution for Jerusalem Church. A year ago, when they heard from Paul about the famine in the land of Judea, they initiated to support the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. So, Paul boasted about their zeal and brotherly love to the Macedonian churches. When the Macedonian churches heard that the Corinthian Church was willing to support Jerusalem Church, they followed the example of the Corinthians. But as time passed by, while the Corinthian Church was struggling with their own problems in and out, their zeal and willingness for the contribution became cold. They forgot their promise. So, now Paul reminds the Corinthians of their promise and stirs up their zeal for the generous gift. He urged them to be prepared in advance so that his boasting was not invalid and proved hollow. (3,5) Look at verse 5. “So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.”

Second, God loves a cheerful giver (6-9) In verse 5 Paul called the contribution ‘generous gift’. He also said in verse 6. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Here the word ‘generous’ or ‘bounty’ is ‘eulogia’ in Greek which means ‘blessing.’ Paul used ‘eulogia’ in Ephesians 1;3 as he mentioned about ‘every spiritual blessing.” According to this original version giving a generous gift is sowing and reaping blessing. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. The Scripture says, ‘A man reaps what he sows.” (Gal 6:7) When we sow little, we reap little. No land produces bountiful harvest from little sowing. Nature does not lie. Our God does the same as nature works. God blesses as much as we sow. When we bless others much, God will also richly bless us more than we bless others. Helping others is like planting blessings in your land. It is like storing up your blessings in heaven. Remember that you will reap as much as you sow and plant.

Here we also learn that we must offer or give contributions with words of blessing. It will be blessed when we write some Bible verses or an encouraging notice on the envelope with the contribution. Even though the money will be gone after we use it, the words of God will remain in the heart of the receivers. The word ‘eulogia’ brings blessings to us and gives blessings to others. Look at verse 7. “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.” This verse teaches us what kind of attitude and motivation we must have when we offer to God and give contribution. I saw one couple who argued because of the amount of their offering, and then they quit coming to church. As for me, it is better for them to come to church without arguing. Our God values our heart rather than amount of offering. Jesus valued the two small copper coin of the poor widow’s offering more than the large amount of money of the rich people because she offered out of her poverty all things she had. (Mk 12:41-44) God knows each own situation. God blesses those who offer by faith, still God is concerned about our need. God wants each of us to offer what we decide in our heart. We don’t have to offer under compulsion or reluctantly because God loves a cheerful giver. God is pleased with a cheerful and thankful heart. This is because God wants us to be happy when we offer. God wants us to be blessed through our offering. Offering is not wasting our money but storing up our blessing in heaven. So, Jesus said that we must store our treasure in heaven. When we offer even one penny with grateful heart and joyful spirit, God accepts it and blesses us. There is a choice before you whether you become a cheerful giver or the grumpy Scrooge.

Generous gifts are a source of blessing. Generous gifts bring God’s blessing to each person’s life and his family and in all aspects of his life. Look at verse 8. “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.” In this verse the words ‘all’ and ‘every’ are repeated four times. This means that God will richly bless us in all aspects and all the days of our lives. Do not underestimate the power of God. Our God is able to bless you abundantly beyond your expectation so that you can become a source of blessing to many. This is the power of love and the result of generosity. Recently I received a letter from a woman of faith. She wrote this verse as God’s promise for her life. She believes that our God is able to bless us abundantly when we share the love of Christ and support each other spiritually and materially. I was so moved by her genuine love for her friend who is in need. Look at verse 9. “As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Paul quotes this verse from Psalm 112:9. Paul considered giving generous gifts an act of righteousness. Of course, we cannot become righteous before God through our generous gifts or charitable action. Righteousness comes only from faith in Jesus Christ. (Ro 3:22) We become righteous before God when we believe in Jesus. Still, Paul links this verse to the righteousness of God, who is Jesus Christ. God gave Jesus Christ as a generous gift. Paul said in verse 15. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” Here his indescribable gift is Jesus Christ. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Thus far we learned that God would bless us abundantly in all aspects of our lives when we give our generous gifts. What else can our generous gifts result in? What are other blessings which come from our generosity?

Third, thanksgiving to God (10-15) Look at verses 10-11. “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generously on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” When we practice generosity for others, we will be a blessing not only to others in need, but also to ourselves. This is because God enlarge our capacity of love and generosity to all aspects of our lives. We will be enriched in every way in all occasion so that we may have more thankful topics for God. Then, what is said comes true: “The more we give, the more we receive. As we sow generously, also we reap generously.”

What will happen when our generosity spreads? Two things will happen to others. First, those who receive our generous gifts will give thanks to God with all their hearts. Look at verses 12-13. “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” This verse means that through your generous gifts your brothers and sisters will give thanks to God all the more. When they receive contribution or gifts, they will give thanks to God first, who provides all things necessary, then they will appreciate you. Indeed, it is God who helps them through you. So, when they receive unexpected gifts, they say, “Thank God!” “Thank you, Lord!”

Second, they will keep praying for you. Look at verses 14-15. “And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” When Jerusalem Church receives the generous gifts from the gentile churches, they will give thanks to God for their brotherly love. And then they will pray for the gentile churches from their hearts. They are poor in materials, but they are rich in prayer. Those who receive generous gifts from you will give thanks to God. And then they will pray for you all the more. They will pray for you until their hearts go out to you. What else is more blessing than to receive prayer support from God’s people? James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

In conclusion we learn from this passage that sharing is a blessing. It is like sowing seeds of blessing in the field of our lives. As time passes by, the seeds grow and will bear fruit. We’ll reap as much as we sow. The more we sow generosity, the more we will reap blessings. Like a happy farmer, we will become happy and cheerful harvesters. Blessed are those who are not tempted by offering or contributions. Blessed are those who give generously and spread the virus of generosity to the world. Amen!

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