Great Chapters of the Bible
II Corinthians 8,9
GIVE is a four-letter "G" word
II Corinthians 9:7
A Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick
Many people don't realize that the book of the Bible we know as II Corinthians is actually Paul's third letter to this church. The second letter had been a sharp letter of correction (2:4), and so Paul had waited for some time in northern Greece until Titus returned from Corinth with news of their reaction to his letter, and with the hope that they would welcome him back. This letter, II Corinthians, is his written introduction to prepare the church for his next visit. Paul did make that visit, was warmly received, and during that time wrote the Epistle to the Romans. II Corinthians is considered to be one of the most intensely personal of Paul's letters, and shows the deep concern he bears for the churches (11:28). Most of the letter has to do with Paul's ministry, his relationship with the church, and his defense in the face of his critics. That is, except for the chapters we're reviewing, 8 and 9, where he deals with preparations for the financial gifts which will be forwarded to Jerusalem. It is in these chapters, occasioned by this practical matter, that we have wonderfully helpful teachings concerning the subject of giving money for the work of the Lord. In a society such as ours which is so much dominated by money matters, it is important to base our understanding and practice on the plain teaching of God's Word, rather than on the teachings of man which, too often, are self-serving. So, let's examine this subject by looking at the many "G" words found here. Although not the very first "G" word, we want to first note the part GOD plays in this matter of giving. It was God who enabled the Christians in Macedonia to give - this was especially true because they themselves were experiencing trials and extreme poverty (8:2). Based on this example, Paul could assure the Corinthians that God would not only meet all their needs, but also make it possible for them too to give (9:8). Secondly, Paul told them that God is the recipient of all gifts because Christians give "themselves first to the Lord." (8:5) Obviously, if we belong to Him, so does our money. But Paul also noted that it was according to God's will that they also gave to him, Paul, the representative of God in the receiving and distributing these money gifts. We remember that in the first church, when people brought their gifts, they laid them at the feet of the apostles (Acts 4:35), meaning that the Apostles then assumed total control of these funds. Perhaps the most important point to make about God's involvement with regards to giving is that when it is done from the heart in the way prescribed here, God is glorified, God is thanked (9:11-15). When that happens, those who are giving thanks are benefited spiritually, for they are always blessed who give thanks to God. Actually, they are doubly blessed - their needs are met, and they are drawn closer to the Lord in worship. Also, out of their thankful hearts they pray for the donors who are then blessed, and everyone is drawn into thanks "to God for his indescribable gift." The second "G" word related to giving is GRACE. The Greek word is "charis," and is found ten times in these two chapters, although not always translated by our word "grace." In 8:1 we learn that giving is a grace, an enabling from God. That's why Paul includes it in his gift list in Romans - "We have different gifts . . . if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously." (Romans 12:6-8) "Grace" is found again in verse 4, although hidden in the NIV translation. The KJV reads, "Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift One of the more obvious "G" words is GENEROSITY, found three times. (8:2; 9:11, 13) The "rich generosity" of the Macedonians was all the more notable because of their obvious poverty. This reminds us of the time in Jesus' life when He sat near the offering box and remarked that a widow woman, with her two bit offering was more generous than the rich donors who gave out of their overflow - she was applauded because she gave out of her need. (The "mite" would be like a cheap penny - Mark 12:42.) Furthermore, generosity is self-perpetuating (9:11); God rewards generosity with abundant blessings so that more generosity may follow.
The "G" word GATHER appears in 8:15 where, Paul makes reference to the Old Testament story about how God supplied the needs of the Children of Israel in the wilderness. Every day, God rained bread down from heaven in the form of "thin flakes" - they didn't know what to call it, so they called it "Manna," which means, "What is it?" The point Paul makes is that Christian giving with generosity results in equality - "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." This is not the forced equality of Socialism or Communism, but the voluntary equalization that happens when Christians, moved with compassion because of the needs of others, give generously, depriving themselves of unnecessary things so that others may have their basic needs met.
There are two "G" words which go together as opposites, Christians do have a choice, they may give GRUDGINGLY (9:5), or GLADLY ("cheerful" - 9:7). The extreme forms of "giving grudgingly" is what during my boyhood was called "Indian giver," the person who gives, but he regrets it so much that he ends up taking back what was given. Perhaps more common in church is the person who, when the offering is received, places his offering in the bag, and then with a tear in his eye, waves good-by as the bag moves along down the pew. The point is, the attitude of giving is important - is giving considered to be an obligation or an opportunity? Is it duty or delight?
But when Paul writes, "God loves a cheerful giver," can it possibly mean that God does not love a grumpy giver? Doesn't He love everyone? "What shall separate us from the love of Christ. . ." - grumpy giving? Certainly, His love remains universal and unconditional. Parents who truly love their child may be heard saying, "I love it when you clean your room with a smile." I know you've been told that the word for "cheerful" is the word from which we get our word "hilarious." Actually, there may be a little different meaning. Instead of calling for an emotion of joyfulness in giving, it probably has more to do with the idea of "readiness of mind" (In the Greek LXX version of Proverbs, this word carries the idea of "favor," or "gracious" - in other words, God loves it when our giving is out of a favorable mindset. (Proverbs 18:22; 19:12 - Paul probably took his idea from Proverbs 22:8b "God loves a cheerful and liberal man" which is found in the LXX but not in other versions.)
Certainly, it's important that giving not be a mere emotional response, that is, giving only when we "feel" happy. As Jesus said, it is blessed to give, which is quite different from, "the blessed man gives". Of course this is also true, but we don't give only when we are happy, giving is the result of intentionality.
There are other "G" words which we don't have time to explore as thoroughly. Words like:
GOOD works (9:8) - surely giving is a good work;
Giving gives GLORY to God (9:12) and helps spread the GOSPEL (9:13).
But also notice that although not the word, but the idea of GAIN is found here (9:6,9,10). This comes from the analogy of planting seed and harvesting. Unfortunately, this is often exploited by preachers who may be guilty of another "G" word, GREED. What they tell us over the impersonal media of radio and television is that if we give a dollar to their cause, we will receive $100.00 back. I use the words "impersonal media" because I would challenge any of these preachers to come, sit at my kitchen table, look me in the eye and make their outrageous promise. However, we must be careful not to "throw out the baby with the bath-water," for there is truth to this principle - sowing liberally will indeed produce an abundant harvest.
Our problem is created by our culture - we only think in terms of money. We understand correctly that when the farmer plants seed-corn, he will receive a harvest of corn, some of which is set aside to be used as seed the following year. So we think that if we plant a few money seeds, we will get back a field full of money. But when we think this way, we have forgotten one important difference. When we give to God, there is a transformation that takes place - our money is changed from a material gift to a spiritual gift. Giving is not the same as investing.
There's one last "G" word implied here. When Paul coached the believers to give, he wanted to GUARANTEE them that their gifts would be handled properly. That's why he told them that he planned for three men to handle the money so that he would avoid all possible criticism. Last time we were in India, after the Seminar was concluded, we were sharing a final meal with our hosts when the Pastor thanked us for the teaching we had given concerning how money matters should be handled in the church. Then he told us something quite surprising. He said that many Pastors teach their members that it is a sin for anyone other than the Pastor to touch the money that is given in the offering. The people lay their gifts on the table in the front of the meeting hall, and the Pastor simply scoops it up and puts it in his pocket. Obviously, these Pastors didn't understand what Paul was teaching here. Men with proven integrity are chosen to oversee the collection, transporting and delivery of the donations. Because these are trustworthy men, the people of the church have confidence that the funds will be used wisely.
In closing, we'd like to go back to a statement of Paul we noted earlier, and see that it applies to our own day and church. "Just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving." (II Corinthians 8:7) The word "excel" means "increase," or "have an abundance of." Remember that many in the Corinthian church boasted about their abundance of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues. Paul recognizes the abundance of these gifts: faith, speech and knowledge. He also values the love the members of the church have showed him. But then he goes on to point out that the gift of giving needs to be as abundant as the more obvious gifts which are being applauded. We find ourselves needing this same instruction. We who contend for the viability and availability of spiritual gifts in the contemporary church, we who earnestly seek these gifts for the benefit of the Body of Christ - we need to begin to excel in this gift also, the gift of giving.
So, our four letter "G" word, GIVE, is associated with GOD's GRACE, GATHERING and GAINING according to our true needs, and so that we may bless others. We give GENEROUSLY and GLADLY, providing whatever GUARANTEES are necessary to produce confidence, and we seek to grow in the gift of giving so that righteousness may prevail.
At the end of the section, following this thoughtful and practical treatment of a somewhat touchy subject, the writer erupted into a closing exclamation, "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" Already Paul had mentioned how that Jesus had impoverished Himself for the sake of those who would believe (8:9). Certainly when Paul refers to God's gift which can't be fully explained, he must have been referring to Jesus - for God so loved that He gave His only Son. In a way, all Christian giving is nothing more than a response to His gift. We love because He loved; we give because He gave.
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