Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from 2 Co 9:1, 2 and following. Indeed, in order not to have vain regrets on the day of the harvest, let us sow (that is, give) abundantly during the present season of sowing (Luke 6:36-38; Dt 15:9-11). What God puts to our hearts, let us do it, and let us do it joyfully. For what we keep to ourselves will not enrich us, and what we give will never impoverish us (Pr 28:27). God’s grace will assure us “always, in all things… (not everything we would like) but everything that is enough.”
For the verses of 2 Co 9. 11-14 remind us that selfless generosity produces in those who are rescued thanksgiving to God and prayers for donors. From a question that we might find secondary concerning beneficence, the apostle knows how to focus our thoughts on the most glorious subjects: the lowering of the Lord (2 Co 8:9), the inexpressible gift of God (2 Co 9:15). Let us strive to move in this way from the small facts that form our daily lives to the blessed truths of our faith. For a simple meal, a family meeting, a gift made or received with affection, are opportunities to give thanks to God and to think of the Gift par excellence: the one that the God of love has made to the world by sending his Son to it (Jn 3:13-17).
For the apostle did not want to take care of the money collected, without having companions who were charged with it with him, thus avoiding any possibility of reproach in matters of this kind, and taking care that everything was honest before men as well as before God. Moreover, he did not say all this as a commandment, but because of the zeal of other assemblies, and to demonstrate the sincerity of the love of the Corinthians.
It will be remembered that it was this collection that was the occasion for all that happened to Paul in Jerusalem, for what ended his ministry, and stopped him on his way to Spain and places; and that, on the other hand, this is what provided the opportunity to write the epistles to the Ephesians, the Philippians, the Colossians, Philemon, (and perhaps again the Hebrews?) How little we know the scope of the circumstances in which we engage! Happy are we to be led by the One who knows the end from the beginning, and who makes all things work for the good of those who love him.
In ending these exhortations to be given according to their power, the apostle commends the Corinthians to the rich goodness of God which could make them abound in all things, so that they were able to multiply their good works, being enriched for all liberality, so as to produce in others, by means of the services of the apostle in this regard, thanksgiving to God. For, he adds, the happy effect of your practical charity, exercised in the name of Christ, not only supplemented the needs of the saints, through my administration of the collection made in Corinth, but also abounds in thanksgiving to God: for those who enjoyed this offering blessed God that their benefactors had been led to confess the name of Christ and to act with this practical liberality towards them and towards all.
This thought stimulated them to pray with an ardent desire for those who provided for their needs, because of the grace of God manifested in them. Thus the bonds of eternal charity were strengthened on both sides, and the glory returned to God. Thanks be to God, says the apostle, for his ineffable gift. For whatever the fruits of grace, it is in what God has given that we have the proof and power of that grace.
Then the Lord said to His disciples: If you obey, the Father will love you; but we find here: God loves you, if you give. To the extent that we joyfully employ the things of this world for the service of the One who entrusted them to me, we will have in our souls a special enjoyment of God’s love and approval.
Another consequence is seen in verses 8-11: “But God is powerful to make all grace abound to you, so that always having in all things all that is enough, you abound for every good work,” according to which it is written: “He has poured out, he has given to the poor, his righteousness remains eternally.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
- Other recommendations for collection, the right influence:
-Preserve Mt 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, with what will it be returned? It only serves to be thrown out, and trampled underfoot by men. Mk 9:50 Salt is a good thing; but if salt becomes tasteless, what will you season it with?
Save 1 Co 7:16 For what do you know, wife, if you will save your husband? Or what do you know, husband, if you will save your wife?
-Inspire 2 Co 9:2 I know, in fact, your good will, of which I boast for you among the Macedonians, declaring that Achaia has been ready since last year; and this zeal on your part has stimulated the greatest number.
-Evangelize 1 Thes 1:8 Not only has the word of the Lord resounded from your home in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has become known in every place, in such a way that we do not need to talk about it.
-Act even after death Heb 11:4 It was by faith that Abel offered God a sacrifice more excellent than that of Cain; it was through her that he was declared righteous, God approving his offerings; and it was through her that he still speaks, though dead.
- Be ready for spiritual service
2 Co 8:19 and who, moreover, has been chosen by the churches to be our travelling companion in this work of charity, which we do for the glory of the Lord himself and as a witness to our good will. 2 Co 9.2 I know, in fact, your good will, of which I boast for you among the Macedonians, declaring that Achaia has been ready since last year; and this zeal on your part has stimulated the greatest number. 2 Tim 2:21 If, therefore, anyone keeps himself pure, by abstaining from these things, he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified, useful to his master, proper to every good work. Tt 3:1 Remind them to be subject to the magistrates and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work;1 P 3:15 But sanctify in your hearts Christ the Lord, always ready to defend you, with gentleness and respect, before anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you;1 P 5:2 Feed the flock of God that is in your custody, not by compulsion, but voluntarily, according to God; not for sordid gain, but with dedication;
- Spiritual harvest
Ps 126:6 He who walks weeping, when he carries the seed, returns with joy, when he carries his sheaves. Os 10:12 Sow according to righteousness, reap according to mercy, clear a new field for yourself! It is time to seek the Lord, until He comes, and pours out righteousness for you. Mt 9:37 Then he said to his disciples: The harvest is great, but there are few workers. Mk 4:29 and, as soon as the fruit is ripe, the sickle is put in it, for the harvest is there. Lk 10:2 He said to them: The harvest is great, but there are few workers. Pray, therefore, to the master of the harvest to send workers into his harvest. Jn 4:35 Aren’t you saying that there are still four months until the harvest? Behold, I tell you, look up, and look at the fields that are already whitening for the harvest. Gal 6:9 Let us not get enough of doing good; for we will reap at the right time, if we do not relax.
- Permanent things, what remains
-The Divine Promises 1 Kings 19:8 He stood up, ate, and purposeed; and with the strength that this food gave Him, He walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God at Horeb.
Spiritual nourishment Jn 6:27 Work, not for food that perishes, but for food that subsists for eternal life, and that the Son of man will give you; for it is he that the Father, whom God has marked with his seal.
-spiritual works 1 Co 3:14 If the work built by someone on the foundation subsists, he will receive a reward.
-the three gifts 1 Co 13:13 Now so these three things remain: faith, hope, charity; but the greatest of these things is charity.
-invisible things 2 Co 4:18 an eternal weight of glory, because we look not at visible things, but at those that are invisible; for visible things are transient, and invisible things are eternal.
-the spiritual kingdom Heb 12:27 These words: Once again, indicate the change of shaken things, as being made for a time, so that the unshakable things may remain. 1 P 1:25 But the word of the Lord remains eternally. And this word is the one that has been announced to you by the Gospel.
From all the above, we note that he who provides seed to the sower and bread to eat, will provide and multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, being in any case enriched for complete liberality, which produces by us thanksgiving to God”. Here, God makes grace abound for them, so that they can abound for every good work. He honors the saints who have used their possessions for Him; it increases “the fruits of their righteousness”, the fruits which are the consequence of a just and faithful march, so that they can spread them outside with complete liberality and without any restriction. One final consequence is mentioned in verses 12 and 13: “The administration of this office… abounds in many thanksgivings to God; since, by their experience of this service, they glorify God for the submission which you profession to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your gifts to them and to all”. In the end, it is not little that thanksgiving continually goes up to God about us from the bottom of the hearts of all the saints who have been rescued by us. For they give thanks here for two things: first for the profession of their brothers and sisters to be subject to the Gospel of Christ, a profession whose reality is proved by their dedication, and second for the liberality of their gifts, which are not addressed only to the needy in this special circumstance, but constantly flow to all. May the Lord Jesus Christ sustain you all in your efforts to help the needy with joy and love.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may be shining in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby watering point to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow on “Paul is the same, being present or absent.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.