April 7, 2022
Why We Give
2 Corinthians 9
Doug Kierstead
Central Truth
God cares more about the intention than the gift.
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
1 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending 1 9:3 Or I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift 2 9:5 Greek blessing; twice in this verse you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. 3 9:5 Or a gift expecting something in return; Greek greed
The Cheerful Giver
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully 4 9:6 Greek with blessings; twice in this verse will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency 5 9:8 Or all contentment in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 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. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they 6 9:13 Or you will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 9
I grew up in a works-based faith and believed that I could earn my salvation through being morally good. When I heard and understood the gospel for the first time that there wasn't anything I could do to earn my salvation, my view of God changed. I start there to tell you that my past was filled with an unhealthy view of "doing," which created an unhealthy view of "giving." Paul wrote this passage to the people of Corinth, but it also feels like it was written directly to me.
We know as believers that giving of our time, talents, and treasures is what we are called to do because of all that God has given us (John 3:16). Paul reminds us that it's not what or how we give that is important, but the heart and intention behind why we give.
- Are we supplying the need of the saints, or are we using our resources for selfish means? (2 Corinthians 9:12)
- Are we using our resources to thank God or thank ourselves? (2 Corinthians 9:12)
- Are we using our resources to display God's glory, or are we using it to raise our platforms for our glory? (2 Corinthians 9:13)
- Are we prayerfully asking God how we can use our resources? (2 Corinthians 9:14)
Paul is not asking the people of Corinth to give their resources to please God, but because He knows that God has blessed them so they can be a blessing to others. God has given abundantly to us to supply our needs (Matthew 6:25-34), and He cares for us deeply. He doesn't care about how or what we give, but rather our heart behind our giving. Are we giving to God because of His deep love for us?
Giving your resources (time, talents, and treasures) is not about an amount or frequency or even about where it goes. God cares abundantly more about your heart behind the gift. Second Corinthians 9:15 is a perfect expression of why: "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"
Discussion Questions
1. Are you utilizing your resources (time, talents, and treasures) to the fullest? If not, what steps can you take today to make sure you are being fully deployed?
2. If you currently aren't giving of your resources, what is holding you back?
3. If you are currently giving, how is your heart? Is giving the first line item in your budget? Do you automatically give? Are you giving out of abundance?