THE WAY TO A HEALTHIER LIFE
II CORINTHIANS 9:6-15
INTRODUCTION
Sir Winston Churchill said; “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” This is similar to the teaching of Jesus: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Dr. Karl Menninger, American psychiatrist, said, “Money-giving is a good criterion of a person’s mental health. Generous people are rarely mentally ill people.” A writer in Modern Maturity magazine said; “The world is full of two kinds of people, the givers and the takers. The takers eat well- but the givers sleep well.”
In an effort to form a spiritual bond between the Gentiles and Jews, Paul began to take a collection from the Gentile churches in the areas he had visited on his missionary journeys. Those at Corinth had agreed to participate in this collection, but for some reason they had set aside the collection of this offering. When Paul learned of this, he sent Titus to encourage them to complete this offering. He also sent words of encouragement to them so that hopefully they would complete what they had committed themselves to do. In this passage, Paul gives the Corinthians some reasons why they should complete what they intended to do at an earlier time. These same reasons can still apply today where the subject of giving is concerned.
Money is a subject most pastors do not like to harp on. Members do not normally enjoy it either, but from time to time we need to refresh ourselves concerning what the Bible teaches about our attitude toward money and particularly about our giving to support God’s work through our local church. While this passage is not a doctrinal passage on the subject of giving, principles for giving can be gleaned from it.
I. GIVE LIBERALLY (6)
Paul begins by setting forth the laws of nature for his readers. He tells them that if they sow sparingly they will reap sparingly. On the other hand, if they sow generously, they will also reap generously. If you sow five kernels of corn, the most you will reap will be five stalks and maybe two ears per stalk.
This is not a new idea. It is one that appeals to our common sense. Even if one has never gardened or farmed, they would still understand this idea. The application is that they should give liberally and bountifully to the collection. If they gave sparingly, they should not expect to reap very much.
As children of God, we must realize that our giving, in whatever form it takes, is like sowing. As we give of ourselves to God and to others we are planting seed in the ground. The amount of giving we do, whether it be to God or to others, determines the amount of seed we are placing in the ground. Our giving then is an investment in the truest sense of the word. If we give liberally to God and to others, we can expect liberal and generous results in our life. All of us like to see bountiful results from the things we do, especially if it is an investment. This applies to the area of giving as well. It is very important then that we give bountifully and liberally to God and to others.
When we give in this manner, we lay up treasures in heaven, which is the thing Jesus has commanded us to do. (Matthew 6:20) A child of God should not be able to determine how wealthy they are by measuring their material possessions. Our worth is not measured in dollars but rather by how much we are laying up in heaven by giving to God and others.
Our giving also lays up a harvest for us to reap here on earth. Through this giving spirit, we will establish friendships with many types of people. In turn, we will have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with these acquaintances.
The lesson from this is that there is a vital connection between our giving and our spiritual welfare. If we do not have a proper spirit of giving then we cannot expect our spiritual welfare to be what God would have it to be. If we do have a proper idea of giving, we will grow in our spiritual health. A proper spirit where giving is concerned will promote spiritual growth.
Several things result from giving liberally. First, the giver is strengthened. As we give out of love to others and God, it strengthens us in our spiritual lives. Second, when we give the recipient is helped. Our giving to them will help to relieve the pain they may be facing. Third, God is glorified. God has given and gives to us each day, and he expects us to be a channel of that giving spirit. The blessings he bestows on us are to flow to others through us. This glorifies God and brings joy to him. Fourth, God will give us more opportunities to help. When we are willing to give God’s blessings on us to others, he will give us even more opportunities to help others.
Roy McClain tells the story of Dr. H.C. Morrison, a famous holiness Methodist minister. As he walked along a busy street one day, a man gave him a five dollar bill. He thanked him and continued on his way. It was not long before he encountered a poor widow. Knowing her need, he gave the five dollars to her. As he continued his walk, another man gave him five dollars. He continued his walk and met another needy person. This time he did not pass on the five dollars even though God seemed to prompt him to. Dr. Morrison stated; “I decided to keep it for myself. Strange to say, that was the last gift of five dollars I received that day. I believe God would have continued the chain of money coming to me as I walked along if I had passed it on.”
One has said; “Be not selfish in thy greed, Pass it on! Look upon thy brother’s need, Pass it on!” As children of God, we must show generosity in our giving.
II. GIVE CHEERFULLY (7)
Paul also warns his readers not to give out of reluctance or compulsion. No person should have to beg God’s children to give of their money, time and talents in his service. This should be a natural outflow of our salvation experience. We can also translate compulsion or reluctance as grudingly. It means holding on to something because you do not want to part with it.
Children often provide us with an example of giving reluctantly. It is interesting to see little brother minding his own business. All of a sudden, he sees little sister playing with one of his toys. Though he was not playing with it, he certainly does not want her playing with it. After all, it is his toy. So he grabs it, and she runs crying to mother. Mother instructs the little boy to share his toys with his sister. In turn, he reluctantly gives the toy back to his sister. He does it though only because his mother made him do so. This is a clear picture of reluctant giving. While we may give, we really do not want to part with it. God does not want this type of giving to take place in our lives.
Neither are we to give out of compulsion. This is feeling forced to give because of what someone might say or think if we do not. It is giving because custom dictates it. It is giving that comes because we fear criticism if we do not. This manner of giving is not pleasing to God. This means that our inner attitude is very important in the giving process. We should not give hoping to receive material prosperity or some other kind of reward. Our motivation to give should be a loving heart that is concerned about other people and the work of God. The amount is not nearly as important as the spirit in which it is given, though at the same time we should not use this line of thought to promote the idea that the amount is not important because it is.
In contrast to this type of giving, Paul says that God loves a cheerful giver. The word that cheerful is translated from is also the word from which we get our word hilarious. In the Greek, the words in this sentence are placed out of order. This is done for emphasis. A more accurate rendering would say; “For the cheerful one, who is a giver, God prizes,” or “For the hilarious giver God prizes.” When we give in this manner, it pleases God and reveals that we have a well-balanced personality.
We find an example of this kind of giving in the book of Nehemiah. Cyrus, the Persian king, allowed the people of Israel to return to their homeland. They had been captives in the land of Babylon for seventy years. Nehemiah came back sometime later. He was disturbed over the walls of Jerusalem lying in ruins. He called the people to rebuild the walls, and with joy they began the work. As the people worked, they did so with all their heart. Though they faced opposition, they completed the task in fifty-two days. They gave cheerfully to the work of the Lord.
This type of cheerful giving is also shown in the actions of the wise men. So happy were they to see the child king that they presented him gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.
Perhaps there are four things that will aid us in giving in this manner. First, reflect on God’s gift to you. Remember that he gave of his very self to us in payment for our sins. He cheerfully gave his Son that we might go free. Second, remember his promise of generosity. He promises to bless us if we give out of proper motives. Third, examine your heart. Finally, glorify God by being as generous to others as he has been to you.
George was a Christian handyman. One morning his employer noticed that he looked upset about something and questioned him as to the trouble. George told him of how, on the previous Sunday, the offering plate was passed and he had put in a quarter. When he got home, he discovered to his surprise that he had put in his five-dollar gold piece, not a quarter. This was the piece his employer gave him for Christmas. His employer responded by telling George that he should not be upset over this matter. After all, that was a good deed. God would reward him. George replied; “But you can’t fool the Lord. He knows that in my heart I wanted to give only twenty-five cents.”
We must give cheerfully, not out of compulsion or reluctance.
III. RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS OF GOD (10)
Paul tells the Corinthians that if they would give in the right spirit, God would bless them. The balance of God’s grace is like nature. If every member of the system will function properly, all the needs of the members of the system will have their needs met. If we give to the kingdom work of God, he will supply our needs. He will do this in a generous manner for God is not a miser. We cannot outgive him. We know this because he gave his only Son in payment for sins we had committed against him. He will enable us to give to others and to his work. He will enable us to give in a way that will match his giving to us. He will give us enough to make us content with enough left over to give to others in his name.
There are results of these blessings. First, he will give us more opportunities to help others when we are faithful to the opportunities he gives. Second, our giving will relieve the needs of others. Third, the recipients will be thankful such as the Jews were who were helped by the Gentiles. Finally, it will promote unity among individuals.
CONCLUSION
The way to a healthier life is to give liberally and cheerfully and then to share God’s blessings with others.
Mid the losses and the gains
Mid the pleasures and the pains,
Mid the hopings and the fears,
And the restlessness of years,
We repeat the passage o’er
We believe it more and more:
Bread upon the water cast,
Shall be gathered at the last.
Soon like the dust to you and me
Will our earthly treasure be,
But the loving words and deeds
To a soul in bitterest need,
They will unforgotten be,
They will live eternally;
Bread upon the waters cast
Shall be gathered at the last.
