2 Corinthians 9

Paul, when he writes to those in 2 Corinthians, also talks about doing good unto all men.

Look there specifically with me at 2 Corinthians 9.

We talked about this chapter the other day as we talked about one of the acts of worship, that of giving, but here we also have the idea once again as we relate to why we would give and what purpose that would serve as far as needs go.

2 Corinthians 9, verse 12.

It says, For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ and for your liberal sharing with them and all men.

Really, it's a commendation that Paul gives to these brethren concerning their giving and what that giving enabled the church to be able to do and help of others.

Say, I'm preparing myself for what God has prepared for me.

Second Corinthians 9, 8 to 10 in Amplified Classic.

And God is able to make all grace, every favor, and earthly blessing come to you in abundance.

So that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be, self-sufficiently.

So what we're going to do is we're going to look at authentic generosity and what the scripture has to say about it.

We're going to be looking specifically in 2 Corinthians chapter 9.

Now I want to give you a little bit of the context of that story because it's helpful.

So what we have is we have Christians in Jerusalem.

They actually don't even have food.

So Paul is traveling around or writing around Asia Minor, and he's raising money for the Christians in Jerusalem so that these people can live.

And so he writes 2 Corinthians to the Corinthian church because he's so impressed by their generosity, which we will see in a moment.

So much so that he says, I've been boasting of your generosity to the Macedonians.

Or as Lily Hammond famously wrote, you don't pay love back, you pay it forward.

But have you ever had the occasion to pay something forward, to take a gift you've been given and then give it again? Well, this meditation from 2 Corinthians 9 is a contemplation on paying forward, remembering to see Jesus as your example of a humble servant and receiving the love of God and paying it forward for His divine glory.

taking his kindness and giving it forward to others in even more kindness.

So to begin your meditation, find a place to receive.

pastor you, to shepherd you, and to do the best that we can to let your heart be set further ablaze, burning brightly for Jesus.

So, hey, we're going to read today 2 Corinthians 9, verse 1 through 15.

And if you're able today, as always, would you stand with me? If you're not able, no issues at all.

It's a posture of our heart that I love in the Bible that Nehemiah would read the word of God and the people stood up.

Ultimately, it's eternal fruit.

It's souls.

2 Corinthians 9.10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed.

That's a promise.

Look at Proverbs 13, 22.

Proverbs chapter 13, 22.

And this verse has become very significant for me because two years ago, our daughter Hannah, who was only given one week to live, haven't got time to tell her testimony, but 19 years ago, she had one week to live.

The doctors gave her one week to live.

God's will for us, it's part of the atonement, is to be provided for more than enough.

So just like I said Jesus took your sin to the cross, just like I told you that Jesus took your sickness to the cross, Jesus took your lack and poverty to the cross.

See 2 Corinthians chapter 8 verse 9, 2 Corinthians chapter 8 verse 9, which is a financial verse.

Don't take a text out of context.

It began long before that with how he prepared the soil and what he planted into it.

And we're going to talk today from 2 Corinthians chapter 9 in our devotion about the power of planting and harvesting.

But before we do that, let's get into the reading of God's word.

Proverbs chapter 25 says, These are more Proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisors of King Hezekiah of Judah.

If you roll a stone, it will roll back on you.

A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin.

2 Corinthians 9 There's no real need for me to write to you about helping God's people.

I already bragged to the Macedonians about your readiness to give, telling them how you and Achaia have been prepared since last year, and your zeal has motivated a great many of them.

And people of God, as much as we teach generosity...

Second, just give me 2 Corinthians 9.

As much as we teach generosity as the way the Bible, um, the believer should give, let me tell you something, and this is not me trying to deceive you.

Because I am one, I can tell you for a fact, there is blessing in giving.

You don't now want to be led.

[laughs] No, you should be led.

2 Corinthians 9.

2 Corinthians 9: Let giving flow from your heart.

They spend their money in continuing to bless other people.

Paul here in 2 Corinthians 9 is now leveling with them.

Listen, I'm not looking to just build up my ministry.

It has nothing to do with me.