2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Wednesday, 4 August 2021
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” -2 Corinthians 9:15
Paul commented in his letter that the Corinthians are doing well in the areas of faith, utterance, knowledge, and even love. At the same time he draws their attention to excel in the area of giving also. He urges them saying that their giving should be a reflection of their sound faith, inspired love and divine knowledge.
In our text we find enough reason to support that regular and faithful giving is not option for a Christian but essential—the main reason, because giving is an act of ‘thankful worship.’ To show forth his magnificent splendor, and ascribe all worthiness to Him results in true worship. It is the purpose for which we are saved, to glorify God and enjoy Him in and through our life forever.
In Verses 11-14 Paul presents three spiritual fruits that are produced through our cheerful giving:
Thankfulness: The ministry of giving is a God-given gift to His saints, supplying the needs of the brethren and is "overflowing through many thanksgivings to God" (V.12) Regular, faithful, monetary giving really produces a priceless result: grateful and cheerful hearts!
It results in people giving glory to God. The recipients of the gift, the Judean saints, will glorify God for the Corinthians' obedience and kindness. Regular, faithful, monetary giving sets forth the glory of the good God!
It is even resulting in prayer— which is a mighty weapon against evil and a tool of faith! It works like a dynamo connected to the engine of a car. Paul writes that the Judean believers, will offer prayer on behalf of the Corinthians because of "the surpassing grace of God" in them (v.14). Regular, faithful, monetary giving brings about effective intercession for the source of the blessing and people’s generosity.
Our text concludes at verse 15, where Paul writes, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" the climax of the glory of giving—the culmination of God’s love in action. To what could the apostle be referring here other than to God's great gift of His only begotten Son? “For God so loved the world that He gave Him, that whoever believes on Him might not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). God set the example with His own possession as a great gift to the mankind. Seeing a world of lost sinners, desperately in need of a Savior, God gave His everything!
God delivered His precious, only-begotten Son over to a painful life and a horrible death, not for His own sake, but only because of His great love for His elect. They were condemned; could not save themselves. Only His Son could redeem them by paying the penalty for their sins in His own body on the cross. Only an infinitely valuable and perfect sacrifice could appease divine wrath, only in the Son's perfect righteousness could they stand before divine justice. Only Jesus could accomplish salvation and rise from the dead after conquering death itself, and sin, and hell. So God gave His Son—the greatest gift, His everything. So let us all decide to practice faithful giving, but sacrificially unto God so that His name will be glorified.
To meditate on: And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”(Acts 20:35)