1. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Cor 9:1-7 - Giving not Grudgingly or of Necessity
2 Cor 9:1,2 - “Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; for I know your willingness, about which I boast (glory) of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia (part of Greece, 1 Corinth 16:15) was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.”
Was Paul aware of the desire of the church at Corinth to give?
Yes, he had bragged about them throughout Macedonia and considers it superfluous for him to write unto them.
2 Corinth 8:16 - But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
And to whom was this expectation directed, the individual believer or the church?
2 Corinth 8:10 - And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 1
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2. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Cor 9:1-7 - Giving not Grudgingly or of Necessity
The church, but there’s another principle for each of us individually.
1 John 3:17 - But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
What was the result of their zeal?
It stirred up (provoked or motivated) whom?
What majority?
2 Cor 9:3.4 – “Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting (this confidence).”
So why were the brethren sent, was Paul just unwilling to be embarrassed? 2
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3. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Cor 9:1-7 - Giving not Grudgingly or of Necessity
Who were the brethren?
Titus and 2 others.
Were Paul’s feelings here of the Spirit or the flesh?
Does it seem contradictory that Paul wanted to be sure that they were ready to give? I thought he knew of their willingness?
So what about the Macedonians and their expectations?
Were they realistic?
Why this ‘(not to mention ye)’?
Not only Paul, but the church itself is accountable and to be ashamed by their lack of giving!
Confidence – in what?
2 Corinth 11:17 - What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
Thus, is Paul’s confidence make him a fool here?
2 Cor 9:5 – “Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort 3
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4. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Cor 9:1-7 - Giving not Grudgingly or of Necessity
the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift (bounty) beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation (covetousness).”
Therefore, what’s it there for?
So how is Paul positioning himself here?
Isn’t it important for the body (us) to be prepared, and here, for what?
Not of greed or exhortation, but as a blessing.
As Jacob did with Esau.
Gen 33:11 - “Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” So he urged him, and he took it.
2 Corinth 9:6 – “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully 4
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5. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Cor 9:1-7 - Giving not Grudgingly or of Necessity
will also reap bountifully.”
How many times have you heard this and in what context?
Doesn’t this statement resemble a proverb?
Prov 11:24, 25, - There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.
Prov 19:7 - All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.
So what’s different there, here at Corinth, and now?
Gal 6:7-9 - Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Heb 6:10 - For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of[ love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 5
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6. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Cor 9:1-7 - Giving not Grudgingly or of Necessity
2 Cor 9:7 – “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Notice the principle of their/our giving!
To purpose is to do – indicative tense
What’s the source?
Heart – center and seat of spiritual life
Not grudgingly or of necessity!
The offering plate.
Matt 6:1 - Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
But as a cheerful (hilaros) giver!
The burden is gone, let the flesh be silent!
And God loves this giver – agapao and factual.
Acts 20:35 - “I have shown you in every way, .….. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
How does this happen? 6
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