NEW TESTAMENT GIVING-Part 18

NEW TESTAMENT GIVING – Part 18

Paul continues his exhortation unto the Corinthians to carry through with what they had promised to do in this matter of collecting an offering for the relief of the saints in Jerusalem. “For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.” (2Cor. 9:2) The best of intentions without action is no better than inaction. Our benevolence is intended to stir up the benevolence of our brethren as we build one another up in the most holy faith. But mere promises of benevolence without actually doing what we are motivated to do is but a mere sham and is like James said, “And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:16-17) True faith always produces actions and not just words.
The very basis and principle of new testament giving is set forth in v.7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2Cor. 9:7) When a “gift” is given grudgingly or out of necessity it is no “gift” at all, rather it is but a duty for which there can be no blessing. (see Luke 17:9-10) The scripture is very clear that there is a great blessing in giving, “he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” (2Cor 9:6) This reaping is not something that comes later, like a reward for services rendered, but is a very present reaping as one sows. The blessing is in the giving not the future. We are not to give as though GOD is keeping a tally sheet and will reward us accordingly. Rather HE pours out HIS blessing and its enjoyment as we give. Only those who serve from a legal principle expect otherwise. A generous spirit is a great reward and enjoyment for those to whom it is given
It is in an understanding of this principle that HE does “increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” (2Cor. 9:10-11) Nothing can produce greater thankfulness in the children of GOD than to be found acting in the SPIRIT of CHRIST. In the activity of that which is produced in and through us by HIS SPIRIT we are moved to worship HIM and say with the apostle, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2Cor. 9:15) Giving of ourselves and our substance for the sake of the brethren, by the power and grace of GOD at work in us, is the nearest that we can come in this world to imitating HIM who gave himself for us, expecting nothing in return.

(to be continued, DV) mam