We have this thing in education lately called the "flipped classroom". Basically, it works like this: the teacher's whole-group instruction (fancy name for "lecture" or "demonstration", usually) is video-recorded. Students are then asked to watch it at home, where they can start, stop, re-wind and re-watch, etc. Then, in the classroom, small-group instruction that is more hands-on and application-focused is done with the teacher's supervision and guidance. I like it! I'll come back to this in a moment.
Paul spent the remainder of chapter 8 and all of chapter 9 expounding on His theme of giving. See, this is how it worked back then. Each small, local church first shared their resources to support each other. Then, once their members' basic needs were met, they donated heavily of their overflow to support other local churches in the Asia Minor and Mediterranean areas. The missionaries, such as Paul, Titus, Barnabas, Mark and others transported the gifts to the other local churches.
So, this morning, we are going to "flip" the Scripture passage, in a sense. We are going to start at the end. Here's the passage first: 2 Cor. 9:6-15 (NET)
6 My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work. 9 Just as it is written, “He has scattered widely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.”10 Now God who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God, 12 because the service of this ministry is not only providing for the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God.13 Through the evidence of this service they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharing with them and with everyone. 14 And in their prayers on your behalf they long for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown to you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
What is this "indescribable gift" Paul mentions at the end of the chapter? It is not a "what"; it is a Person, Jesus Christ! He is God's indescribable gift to us. In 8:9 together with 9:15, Paul bookends this exposition on the importance of charity by pointing out the main reason the Christians give generously: because God gave so lavishly to us. John 3:16 comes to mind. For He SO loved....!
I'm very excited about doing Ann Voskamp's Advent devotionals, starting December 1. It's called, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift, which is what made me think of it right now. Last year, I did John Piper's. What a blessing! If you want to check his out, download to your phone or iPad the app called, "Solid Joys". Excellent!
Anyway, back to the topic at hand. There is a very powerful giving principle expressed in 9:6, an agricultural principle that was familiar to most of the people of that day. If you don't plant much seed, you won't harvest much fruit! Applied to giving, we are similarly encouraged to give lavishly. I wrote a little note to a young brother this morning who was leading a small group Bible study that did not have have "gangbusters" attendance. I reminded him that we never see on this mortal plane the full outcomes of our obedience and faithfulness. So true! And, the same is true of our giving. When we get to Heaven, I believe we'll get to see a fuller picture of what our obedient service has produced. You see, it's not just about giving your money, although that's what Paul was dealing with here. It's about giving from all your resources - - - including your time and your God-given talents. "It's time to get our hands dirty."
Verse 7 has another excellent principle. If you give because you feel "guilted" into it, you might as well not give at all. That is not a gift, it is a tariff. This kind of giving does not honor God. I'll be straight with you: if you don't give of your money and serve the Lord, and do it cheerfully, there is something wrong in your walk with God. Those who truly "see" what God has so freely given to them give back to Him out of a cheerful heart. Because He is our "enough", (vs. 8), we "overflow to every good work".
Natalie Grant has a new album out, and the title cut is called "Be One". That's what I'm talking about! "Calling all hearts, calling all hands....we can be the arms that don't let go...why wait around for a miracle to come, when we can be one?" And, the people of God said, "Yes! So be it!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq-6pXBHCZM
Dear Father, you know, I was thinking about that awful dream I had last night, where in it I committed a crime. Even though I walked it back in the dream, it showed me just how deeply depraved my sinful nature is (and also that I should not eat sweet potato pie right before going to bed!) That's why I'm so thankful for your "indescribable gift" of Jesus, who washes ALL my sins away. Because of Your generosity, I am set free...free to "be one". Thank you for another of Your precious promises, found in verse 10. Yes! You provide seed for the sower and not only that, You multiply it, causing righteousness to grow in me, the only true righteousness, the fruit of the Holy Spirit. In the only Name, the precious name of Jesus, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment