II Corinthians 9:1-15
More on giving… I think we all know the verse, “…God loves a cheerful giver.” (v. 7b) To know that verse is one thing, to embrace it is another! I can remember how I had serious misgivings whenever I wrote our tithe check to our former church. I was doing what I thought we should be doing as responsible Christians, but we were troubled at where the Episcopal Church was headed and were sorry to see our donation supporting its misguided leadership. Now, however, I am delighted whenever I write a check to St. Andrew’s, mostly wishing that we were in a position to give more! What a change in perspective this has been!!
Paul, the control freak…??!! But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. (vv. 3-5) Paul is both confident of the Corinthians’ generosity and at least marginally suspicious of their ability to act on their commitment. I think that Paul recognizes the many gifts in the Corinthian community, but he has also seen so many problems in that community that he doesn’t want to leave anything to chance. He doesn’t want to be embarrassed when he comes and finds them unprepared and he does not want the Corinthians themselves to be embarrassed. So, better to spell it out completely in writing before he comes. Control? Maybe. But not without a good heart intent…
You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way… For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of … the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you… (vv. 11-14, edited) I removed a few phrases in these verses to get at the heart of what Paul is saying. The Corinthians will be blessed by their donation – from those in the Jerusalem community thanking them and thanking God for them and praying for them and, in effect, truly embracing them! God loves a cheerful giver. So do the gift recipients…!!
Slava Bohu!
Well said! When I think of the connections we have with Uganda and the people there, this is how we feel – supplying the needs of the saints but also loving them, as they do us.