November 16, 2008
Morning Service

II Cor. 9

 

Review:

1.      Chapter 8 was a continuance of giving, and concern for the poor saints at Jerusalem.  Paul also mentioned this good work in Rom. 15:26; and I Cor. 16.  This was an ongoing concern.  At the beginning, these people that chose to be followers of Christ, were disowned by their families, the community, and it was hard for them to make it.  I’ve heard that is somewhat like that today. 

 

This morning we will continue with this thought, Paul reasoning with the churches at Corinth, in their sharing with the poor.

 

2Co 9:1-15  For indeed regarding the ministry to the saints, it is not necessary for me to write to you. 

• This saying is true in most of the Lord’s teachings.  Yet Peter said in 2Pe 1:12-13  Therefore I will not neglect to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them and are established in the present truth.  (13)  But I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by a reminder,
• Mar 14:7-9  For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you desire you may do them good. But you do not have Me always.  (8)  She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for the burying.  (9)  Truly I say to you, Wherever this gospel shall be proclaimed in all the world, this also that she has done will be spoken of for a memorial of her. 

• John in his gospel tells us that this woman was Mary, sister to Martha, and Lazarus.
• We will always have the opportunity to help the poor, they will always be around.  The Ministerial Asso. Is making plans for assisting people this winter.  It is going to be pretty tough for a lot of people.   We are going to get involved with this effort, it appears to be a very worthy project.
• IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, THAT AS YOU, AND I GIVE TO THE LORD’S WORK, A PORTION OF THAT IS SET ASIDE FOR THIS TYPE OF HELP.  SO, WE CAN ONLY HELP, AS LONG AS WE ARE FAITHFUL IN OUR GIVING.
• Deu 15:7  If there is among you a poor man of one of your brothers inside any of your gates in your land which Jehovah your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother.  Deu 15:8  But you shall open your hand wide to him, and shall surely lend him enough for his need, that which he lacks.  Deu 15:9  Beware that there is not a thought in your wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand, and your eye may be evil against your poor brother, and you give him nothing. And he may cry to Jehovah against you, and it is sin to you.  Deu 15:10  You shall surely give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing Jehovah your God shall bless you in all your works, and in all that you put your hand to.  Deu 15:11  For the poor shall never cease out of the land. Therefore, I command you saying, You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor, and to your needy, in your land.  Deu 15:12  If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.  Deu 15:13  And when you send him out free from you, you shall not let him go away empty.  Deu 15:14  You shall richly bestow on him from your flock, and from your grain floor, and from your winepress; with what Jehovah your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.
• I have always thought it would be very difficult for a Christian to obtain much of this world’s wealth, when Jesus taught us saying, Mat 5:42  Give to him who asks of you, and you shall not turn away from him who would borrow from you.
• And, “when you have done it unto one of the least of My brethren, you have did it unto Me.”  And of course He was referring to good works, and supplying the needs of others.
• I think we can see that by these scriptures, it is God’s will that we do what we can to supply the needs of those in need.

 

Now notice, I think Paul uses a little tack in dealing with the Corinthians.

(2)  For I know your eagerness, of which I boast to Macedonia on your behalf, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has aroused the greater number.  (3)  Yet I sent the brothers, lest our boasting (which is on your behalf) should not be in vain, that, as I said, you may be ready.  (4)  I say this lest perhaps Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared. We (not to say you) would then be put to shame in this confident boasting. 

• Gosh it would be terribly embarrassing if some of the Macedonians would come with me, and you wouldn’t be ready with your offering. 

(5)  Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers that they would go forward to you, and make up beforehand your blessing, it having been promised that this would be ready, thus as a matter of blessing, and not as of covetousness. 

• Willingly, and not as a necessity. 
• FOLLOWING IS A TRUISM, OR PRINCIPLE FOR GIVING THAT IS FROM THE LIPS OF GOD.  GOD WHO CANNOT LIE, GIVES US THIS PROMISE.

(6)  But I say this, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.  (7)  Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

• This idea of sowing is used often in teaching spiritual lessons.  Gal 6:7-10  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he also will reap.  (8)  For he sowing to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh. But he sowing to the Spirit will reap life everlasting from the Spirit.  (9)  But we should not lose heart in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not faint.  (10)  So then as we have time, let us work good toward all, especially toward those of the household of faith. 

(8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work;  (9)  As it is written, "He scattered; he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever." 

• There is your legacy as a body of believers.  You sow love, and benevolence, and your righteousness will remain forever.

(10)  Now He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for eating, may He supply and multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness   

• Now He, meaning God, supplies seed, meaning material wealth, to the sower, meaning you, and me, and bread for eating, our daily needs, MAY HE SUPPLY, AND MULTIPLY YOUR SEED, AND INCREASE THE FRUITS OF YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

(11)  you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which works out thanksgiving to God through us.

(12)  For the ministry of this service not only supplies the things lacking of the saints, but also multiplying through many thanksgivings to God,  (13)  through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for your freely expressed submission to the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of the fellowship toward them and toward all,  (14)  and in their prayer for you, who long after you, because of the exceeding grace of God on you.  (15)  Thanks be to God for His unspeakable free gift.

 

Isa 9:6  For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

1Jo 4:9  In this the love of God was revealed in us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him.

 

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

YES, THIS WONDERFUL GIFT FROM GOD, ETERNAL LIFE, IS FREE FOR YOU, AND I, BUT THE ORIGINAL COST WAS PURCHASED AT A TREMENDOUS COST.

 

PAUL REMINDED US IN 2Co 5:21  For He has made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

 

JESUS THE SINLESS LAMB OF GOD,  STILL OFFERS THIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT TO WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM COME AND DRINK OF THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.