2 Corinthians 9: The Cheerful Giver

The Cheerful Giver

As discussed in chapter 8 the amount one gives to a church or whatever should come from the heart. The old testament had a standard of 10% but God knows what you can give and what you cannot give. As a matter of fact, due to reading yesterday's text and today's text I remembered to give to my home church as I had forgotten the last 2 months. I gave what I could, not what some might say I should. As Paul says here in verse 7 "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." My Pastor Rick Warren has stated that if you feel pressure to give, then don't. It's not coming from the heart. I would agree with him as what he says is backed up by scripture (see what I did there- not every pastor gets everything right). 

But before that in verse 6 Paul tells us that the point is if you give sparingly (little) in dedication to God, you will reap sparingly (little). The opposite is true where if you give bountifully (much/more than you can afford) then you will reap the same. The reaping does not have to be money, it can be, If the focus is on "how can I get more money?" then you have forgotten about the heart of Christ. Seek his will as it was entrenched in the Father's (God's).

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2 Corinthians 8: Grace and Giving

Grace and Giving

In verse 7 Paul goes back on the sarcastic correction angle by reminding the Corinthian Christians, who have not excelled in faith, speech, knowledge and earnestness, that they should excel in in being gracious/giving grace to others. This could also have been Paul's way of saying "well if you say you have been excelling in these areas then I will take your word for it. If you excel in grace then you are following the example of Christ. Christ was very gracious unless someone was misusing the house of the Lord and twisting the word of God. That is when Christ was known to do more than just speak out. 
 

In the next section (2 Corinthians 8:8-14) Paul deals with the topic of giving. While the Old Testament had a standard of 10% (tithe) we see in the New Testament examples of giving what you have available to give. Dave Guzik's commentary focuses on the idea of 10% being more of an expectation and being seen like a tax rather than a giving from the heart. This is where grace can abound in giving. We give graciously and not from rule or regulation but from the heart.When we go to church is out of obligation or because we want to? When we give to the church is out of what we can or is it just what we want to give? Heart check! It matters.

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Acts 20: What Lies in Paul's Words

What Lies in Paul's Words

There are many things Paul says in Acts 20:17-35, but I want to point out transparency, humility in trials and and serving like Christ. Being transparent is not something that many of us Christ followers allow ourselves to be these days. We live lives of seclusion and don't want anyone holding us accountable for how we can become stronger in our walks or stop letting ourselves sin. Paul was transparent. As a leader he needed to be transparent. He was an example of what it was to walk in the Holy Spirit and follow Christ. He tells the elders of the church in Ephesus that they know how he lived since he lived among them in Asia (Acts 20:18).

Paul also served. I know that sadly is not something common in this "gimme gimme" society we live in, but a leader of the church spreading the word of Christ was serving. He served with humility and with tears and trials for all the things that happened to him while spreading the word of Christ and avoiding capture from the Jews (Acts 20:19).

Lastly, in verse 35 he really breaks down the true essence of serving and quotes Jesus. He says that he has shown them that when you work hard you must also help the weak and remember what Jesus said that "It is more blessed to give than to receive." For anyone who is a believer and is not serving from their heart to honor God's will for our lives and show love and be loving to others, then you may have missed the point of being a Christ follower.

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Acts 4:34-35- Give What You Have

Give What You Have

Early in the chapter, we see in verses 1-4, that the Pharisees and Sadducees (once again) were against the resurrection of Christ being taught. They had Peter and John arrested for spreading the gospel, the truth. But, before they were arrested (and let out the next morning), about 5000 people came to believe in Christ. That right there is amazing and says to me, can you do what needs to be done for the Kingdom selflessly even if it meant that you would be arrested and had to sit in a jail for a night?

Later in the verse we see more selflessness. In verses 32-37 we see that everyone was of one heart and one soul. No one claimed anything that had been theirs to still be their own. People were willfully sharing with others. Nobody was needy. People were taking care of one another. People sold homes and land and lay it before the apostles (Peter and John). This unity and selflessness was needed from people so that they could show their dedication to Christ and not let "things" get in the way of their faith and following Christ's example. Pure selflessness. Let this display serve as an example of how we can give up possessions in order to serve others. Are you willing to even buy a homeless person food? Or give them a drink of water?

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