Motivations For Giving

INTRO

Our one word for this book of the Bible is Treasure, based on 2 Corinthians 4:7. This Treasure is Christ within us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God wants to speak through us, and to move through us. In 2 Corinthians 8—9, God says He has given us faith and speech and knowledge and discernment and the gift of giving. Paul wanted to make sure the Corinthians would be faithful to fulfill their promise to give to the Christians in Jerusalem. Giving to the Jewish believers was important because they launched this whole thing. Salvation came to the Jews first, and through them, to the Gentiles.

Warren Wiersbe referred to the giving described in 2 Corinthians 9 as “grace giving.”¹ Wiersbe then walked through five encouragements that relate to giving. Paul wanted them to understand the benefits of giving, both for themselves and for those who received their gifts.

TEACHING

2 Corinthians 9:1-5: According to Wiersbe, “Your giving will provoke others.”² When we give, others will also give. In a classic move, Paul said he wasn’t going to talk about the offering anymore, then proceeded to do just that. Paul bragged about them to the Macedonians, which in turn, stirred the Macedonians to also give. Paul then said he was sending “the brothers” (v. 3), to pick up their gift, praying they would not be unprepared with their gift and therefore embarrassed (v. 4). Paul encouraged them to have their generous gift ready as they had promised (v. 5).

2 Corinthians 9:6–11: These verses, according to Wiersbe, show “Your giving will bless you.”³ Paul used farming terms to make his point. When a farmer planted a lot of seeds, he would get a large crop. If he didn’t plant a lot of seeds, he wouldn’t get much of a crop. Wiersbe said there’s a “principle of increase: we reap in measure as we sow.”⁴ In Luke 6:38, Jesus described the law of harvest: “Give, and it will be given to you . . . for with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Solomon made a similar statement in Proverbs 11:24–25. Nelson’s Commentarysaid, “Giving is like sowing a seed. The amount of harvest is determined by the seed sown.”⁵ Proverbs 19:17 says God will reward those who show kindness to the poor. When you give, God will bless you.

Wiersbe also said there’s a “principle of intent.”⁶ God loves a cheerful giver (v. 7)—one who gives enthusiastically and with joy when prompted by the Holy Spirit. Wiersbe then described a third principle: the “principle of immediacy.”⁷ When you hear from the Lord, then you need to give immediately. Don’t take time to analyze it or disregard it. Just give as God directs. Paul quoted Psalm 112:9 in his statement in verse 9. Basically, the good person’s acts of generosity endure forever and bring eternal blessings to those who receive them. Because God had provided “seed for the sower and bread for food,” (v. 10), He also has the ability to give the provision and bring forth the increase.

The prosperity theology in America uses verses 10–11 to say that if you give, you will be enriched in everything. Since our society is confused about giving, the Gospel Coalition describes five errors about prosperity gospel.⁸

1. The Abrahamic Covenant is a means to material entitlement. In Genesis 12:3, God promised to bless those who blessed Abraham. This means those who bless Israel will receive God’s blessings while those who turn against Israel will be cursed. The prosperity gospel says if I pour all my money into Israel, then I’ll get all kinds of money back. That’s the wrong motive. But we should bless Israel simply because Scripture says that is what we’re supposed to do.
2. Jesus’ atonement extends to the “sin” of material poverty. Prosperity gospel claims Jesus’ actions on the cross abolish the whole mentality of poverty (based on 2 Corinthians 8:9). They claim because of Jesus’ death and burial, no longer are you poor.

Christians give in order to gain material compensation from God. Based on Mark 10:30, the prosperity gospel claims giving brings 100 times more.

Faith is a self-generated spiritual force that leads to prosperity. The prosperity gospel claims if you have the faith this can happen, then you will prosper. Instead, believers give by the grace of God that He’s given us to give to someone else.

Prayer is a tool to force God to grant prosperity. Prosperity gospel claims that if you pray for it, anything can happen.

Here’s Kyle’s heart in sharing this: He wants you to be aware of the wolves disguised in sheep’s clothing in the church. It's not just the American church it is churches all across the world. We twist the scriptures and the focus is on materialism and not meeting needs.

2 Corinthians 9:12: Wiersbe pointed out, “Your giving will meet needs.”⁹ According to Paul in this verse, when we give, we help people.

2 Corinthians 9:13: Wiersbe also said, “Your giving will glorify God.”¹⁰ Your obedience to God’s directive to give generously will bring glory to God.

2 Corinthians 9:14–15: Lastly, Wiersbe observed, “Your giving will unite God’s people.”¹¹ When you receive money from someone, you begin to pray for them because your heart is for them (not because they gave you something). Because of that gift, other people begin to experience God as well.

CLOSING

Because of Christ, that Treasure – that gift, we have the chance to reflect Christ.