About this sermon
Paul urges the Corinthians to complete the collection for the saints in Jerusalem that they had begun a year earlier. Whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully, so each one gives as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. The grace of Christ, who became poor so that his people might become rich, moves believers to give joyfully and to show kindness and hospitality to one another.
Sermon transcript
Hear the word of the Lord. Proverbs 22 and verse 9. He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. This is the New American Standard Version. He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. An alternative reading is in the margin of our Bibles. Which is, he who has a good eye, he who has a beautiful eye, will be blessed. For he gives some of his food to the poor.
Proverbs 22, verse 9. The latter translation is coming to us from the Greek Septuagint version of the scriptures. A Septuagint version that is at work in Paul’s writing, the New Testament epistle that we read this morning. Turn with me now to 2 Corinthians. We’ll read there chapter 9, 2 Corinthians chapter 9. We continue the reading of God’s inspired word as we take up at 2 Corinthians chapter 9 and verse 1. We’ll read the whole of this chapter.
For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints. For I know your readiness of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely that Achaia has been prepared since last year and your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I have sent the brethren or in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared. Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to speak of you, will be put to shame by this confidence. So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness. Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed as it is written. He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness endures forever. Now, he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.
Thus far, the reading of God’s inspired word. Amen. Let us pray together. Father, once again, we come to you asking for the grace of your spirit that he would instruct us that those things that were written of old by the prophet and the apostle would be now made illumined for us to understand and believe that same spirit working grace in our hearts to understand the word of God. We ask God that the Spirit would rest mightily upon the one who preaches and those who hear the preaching together today, that we would be built up in the most holy faith and that with much joy, with much thanksgiving, with much cheerfulness of God in the name of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray even now. Amen.
What Paul was administering was indeed a sizable offering for the relief of the poor saints in Jerusalem. Judging from his epistles to the Corinthians, we see that he made every effort to complete this task in an honorable way. Commentator Paul Barnett observes that, quote, no one knew better than Paul that his initiative instituting the collection would lay him open to the accusation that the money was desolate for his own pocket. And we would say, indeed, to this very day, few things are so destructive as of the credibility of the ministry as the implication of covetousness and dishonesty on the part of those who administer such things. Therefore, Paul, to preserve his own credibility, took every precaution to disassociate himself from any direct contact with the money.
In First Corinthians chapter 16 and verse three, he wrote, quote, When I arrived, Whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem. And then as we begin Second Corinthians chapter nine, Paul states, it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints. For I know your readiness of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely. that a cave, that is the location of Corinth, has been prepared since last year and your zeal has stirred up most of them in Macedonia.
The Apostle Paul was no doubt aware of the problem that had arisen in Jerusalem. namely a great famine and intensive poverty. And he was zealous then that the members of the churches which he founded through his gospel ministry would systematically lay up offerings to care for their own needs in each congregation, but also to be mindful of others, of the spiritual debt in particular that they owed as Gentiles to the church and the saints found in Jerusalem. After all, salvation had come to the Gentile world through the Jews, namely through Christ Jesus, son of God, son of David, seed of Abraham. We see in scripture how the church at Antioch had originally done this when the Great Famine, which swept across the world during the reign of the Emperor Claudius, brought additional distress upon the church in Jerusalem. Already poor, Jerusalem Christians. Paul himself had been one of the delegates of the church of Antioch on that occasion to deliver the contribution to the needs of the saints in Jerusalem for the relief of the brethren there living in Judea.
We read of those events in Acts chapter 11 verses 27 to 30. In First Corinthians, where we find the first mention of the expression, quote, the collection for the saints, unquote, Paul reiterates instructions for systematic giving, which he says he has already laid before the Galatian church. Each Sunday, he says, that is the first day of the week.
Every member of the church was being asked to put aside something for the fund so that a substantial sum might be ready when the apostle himself came to collect the contributions of the various churches and to make arrangements for their dispatch then to Jerusalem and that by the hands of authorized representatives of the various churches. See again, first Corinthians 16 verses one to four, a year or even less had elapsed since the Corinthians had received those instructions about the offerings. And during the interval, much had happened, which had not made it easy for the Corinthians to respond in any effective way to the apostles appeal. They had indeed made a noble start, but that was about all a start.
But now that Paul’s so-called painful letter had achieved its purpose of repentance and reconciliation, and the Corinthians were, for the most part now, reconciled to Paul, the time was right, he thought, for calling their attention once more to the great project of this collection. Again, we affirm that the Apostle had long been aware of the readiness of the Corinthians to act upon this matter. And during his stay in Macedonia, in the region of Philippi and Thessalonica, Paul had been speaking the Corinthians praise. He says of The Corinthians. Achaia was ready a year ago. They had not completed the collection. In fact, they had only begun to make preparation.
But here in this epistle, Paul commends the Corinthians for their willingness to participate in such an offering. That willingness was the reason for sending Titus and the brothers now to Corinth. Would the Corinthians live up to Paul’s boasting about them, that boasting which he had done before the Macedonians? Paul sends some delegates to Corinth to ensure their readiness, that the Corinthians would follow through with the offering that they had pledged that they would be so participant in, so that neither Paul nor the Corinthians would be ashamed in the confidence which he had placed in them and toward them in his conversation even with others.
For each one must make must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. Chapter nine, verses six and seven. Note that text in particular. In nine, verse eight, Paul reminds the Corinthians that God provides for them abundantly so that they can give to others in abundance. The idea is strengthened by a quotation from Psalm 112, verse nine, And that cited in chapter nine, verse nine of second Corinthians, as it is written that he scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness endures forever. Speaking of the righteous man who fears the Lord, the generous giver Paul proceeds to assure the Corinthians need not fear destitution.
For there is a real sense in which the generous man receives in return gifts out of all proportion, even to his own. This truth is emphasized in various proverbial statements found in the book of Proverbs. For example, Proverbs 11 verses 24 and 25. There is one who scatters and yet increases all the more. And there is one who withholds what is justly due. And yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. And also Proverbs chapter 19 verse 17, I quote, One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his good deed.
Paul’s language in verse six of our text this morning clearly echoes these sentiments. And he was probably quite familiar also with the saying of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke chapter six and verse 38. where Jesus says, give and it shall be given unto you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. For by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you in return.
The unselfishness of Christian charity is not marred, remember, by remembering that such giving is actually in the best and in the highest interest of the donor himself. As Charles Hodge truly says, it is right to present to man the divinely ordained consequences of their actions as motives to control their conduct.
To be sure, in recent times there has arisen a theology of prosperity, we might call it, which teaches that God will bless with health and riches those who give generously in support of Christian ministry. In the Old Testament, surely it is clear that the multiplication of resources was viewed as the blessing of God, whether that be crops or animals or any such thing. In the last chapter of Job, remember, God gave the faithful sufferer twice the prosperity he enjoyed before the onset of all his troubles. In the New Testament, however, this enrichment, this enrichment that God adds to those who give generously and live faithfully is reinterpreted as a spiritual fruitfulness and as caring support among the family of Christians as we bear each other’s burdens.
That’s a blessing given unto us as a consequence of Christian charity and love. What Paul promises to the generous giver is not wealth in return, but a promise of all that you need and also what is sufficient for every good work. Look at verse 8. Giving, true giving, pleasing to the Lord, must be free and it must be deliberate, not compulsory or casual.
Notice then how gently, how tenderly Paul encourages the Christians to give themselves to the offering that is now being collected for the saints. He commends their previous willingness and their positive example. They have already proven to be to the Macedonian Christians. Paul rejoices in their generosity, even as he prods them on to even greater generosity.
Let this be an example to us in our dealings with others, even with our children and grandchildren. In other words, not simply discouraging, but encouraging with previous acts of kindness and grace, building up as that would be an example and a help to others around them. Let us encourage and build up those who are under us in the Lord Jesus Christ. Look at verse seven.
Each one must do just as he is purposed in his own heart, not grudgingly, not under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver, not reluctant that he has to part with so much or of necessity. That is. One not having as his main motive the consideration of what others will think about him if he refrains from giving. Both of these are unworthy thoughts that rob charity of its true loveliness and joy. They are, moreover, contrary to the revealed will of God in Proverbs chapter 22 and verse eight, where we in verse nine, as we read this morning, where we read that it is a generous and cheerful giver that God loves and blesses.
Literally in the Hebrew, the one who has a good or a beautiful eye is the one whom the Lord loves and blesses. When Paul says God loves the cheerful giver, he is reflecting upon Proverbs 22 verse 8, particularly as it is found in the Septuagint version where it speaks of God loving the cheerful giver. The Hebrew text actually points to one who has a beautiful eye. And I’ll comment on that. In the Hebrew, the one giving who has a good or a beautiful eye, is considered this way. The eye was regarded in Hebrew thought as a window to the soul through which a man’s real motives were being revealed. God loves the cheerful giver, then is literally God loves the giver with the beautiful eye. That is, God loves the one who gives from a sincere motive of loving and honoring God by loving my poor and needy neighbor.
Generous giving for those who have little in the world to give might seem hazardous, but the risk tends to be forgotten when the greatness of God’s power is steadily kept in mind. Be reminded, beloved, that all our resources, great or small, come ultimately from God. And God is able, Paul insists, to increase those resources. Where the generous spirit exists, God will provide the means by which that generous spirit can be expressed. Look at verse 8. God is able to make all grace abound to you. Believe it. so that the charitable man will always have all sufficiency in everything, that you may have an abundance for every good deed.
Now, in verse 9, Paul produces scripture proof for that truth, that the giver shall be provided with the means of giving. In verse 9 of our text this morning, the Apostle Saul cites Psalm 112. He says, as it is written, he scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness endures forever. Looking back to Psalm 112 in verse 3, we read that wealth and riches are in the house of the man who fears the Lord. In other words, the righteous man or woman who desires to express his or her righteousness in benevolent giving to the poor, beneficence, In the giving of gifts and the doing the acts of kindness, such persons will never lack the means of doing so. Be sure of that. In the remainder of chapter 9 of our text, The apostle actually alludes to Isaiah chapter 55, speaking of God as the one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food.
And in the rest of the chapter, Paul seeks to motivate the Corinthians giving by pointing out that there will be even spiritual riches accumulated as a consequence of their generosity, expressions of thanksgiving flowing out of the Corinthians generosity. In the fear of God, then, let us remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said in Luke 12, verse 48, From everyone who has been given much, much will be required. And also remember Jesus’ words quoted by Paul in Acts chapter 20 and verse 35, where Jesus says, It is more blessed to give than to receive. The final verse of our chapter this morning rounds out the theme of this particular collection. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.
Combine that text very closely with 2 Corinthians chapter 8 and verse 9, and then we get to the root and to the sum of charitable giving. Look at second Corinthians eight, nine, for, you know, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake, he became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich. Significantly, Paul never deviates from the truth that God saves us by his free grace and not through good work, such as giving even. Giving is not a means of salvation. Giving is a proof, verse 13, or an acknowledgment of the gospel of Christ. Such good that this this is the summation. This is the confirmation of our salvation as saved believers who have received much.
It is our joy, our cheerful joy to give much for the sake of others, not as the basis of our salvation, but as a response to that salvation which has come to us in and through Christ Jesus. who loved us and gave himself for us.
Let it be said in closing this morning that while the apostle is referring specifically to generosity in gifts of money and in material things, we may most certainly apply his principles also to the exercise of all of God’s good gifts. Whatever gift, whatever gift you may have received from the Lord, let us learn in Christ to promptly, generously, cheerfully seek to exercise such gifts in service to one another for mutual edification and for growth in grace. doing so as a grateful expression of God’s saving grace toward us in Christ Jesus, that together we may give thanks to the glory and praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It will be our certain experience that the faithful Lord of the harvest will enrich us. He who gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater is the one who will give us all spiritual graces and gifts needed that we might be generous one toward another for the mutual building up of the body of Christ to the glory and to the praise of his holy name. And remember that he who sows little will also reap little, but he who sows much will reap much. And so let us be generous and cheerful, exercising the gifts that God has given us and showing kindnesses and love one to another, bearing for the needs of the poor, that the faithful Lord of the harvest will enrich us. He will enrich us beyond all our expectations, both in this age and in the age to come.
Amen. Let us pray together. Almighty God, we have received much, and we know that as those who have received much, we are responsible to do much, that we might share your love with others, show kindnesses to those who have needs and concerns among us. And we pray that we would joyfully do so, cheerfully do so, not under compulsion, not begrudgingly, but joyfully, cheerfully showing the love of Christ one to another, bearing the burdens of others, and that to the glory and praise of your holy name. May you apply your spirit to us that we may accomplish these things in acts of kindness and acts of hospitality, acts of graciousness one to another. Hear our prayers. Apply these things to us, we pray in Jesus name. Amen. Now, let us join in singing hymn number 368.
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