2 CORINTHIANS 8: 9-15 [GAINING PERSPECTIVE Series]
THE GRACIOUS GIVING OF JESUS CHRIST
[Philippians 2: 1-13 / Mark 12:41–44]
Paul has been using the Macedonians as an example but they were an example only because they followed Christ Jesus' example. So at this point is introduced the supreme argument for Christian giving. Grace giving flows out of the self-giving and self-impoverishing of the Son of God on man's behalf (CIT). This redemptive sacrifice was given by Christ willingly. This costly gift had long been promised, but promise without performance is like a well without water. So Christ gave Himself that we might through His poverty become rich. Christian giving should spring from the conscious possession of the riches we have received in Christ.
This issue of Christian giving which some esteem so very little is a very great thing in Scripture because it is attached to the most worthy of all events. The idea of Christian giving is strapped inseparable to the supreme example of Jesus Christ and the whole depth of His humbling which encompasses the cross and His suffering. The Christian motivation for giving is founded in what Christ gave for them and for us.
I. CHRIST'S SACRIFICIAL EXCHANGE, 9.
II. FAITHFUL FOLLOW-THROUGH, 10-12.
III. EXCHANGING BLESSINGS, 13-15.
Verse 9 turns to the supreme example and motive for grace giving. “For you (all) know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor (poverty stricken), so that you, (all) through His (extreme) poverty might become rich.”
The supreme argument for giving is introduced with “you all know.” This is something these believers are fully acquainted with by the proclamation of this great truth and by personally experiencing its reality. The greatest empowering of Christian giving is the giving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The grace of Christian giving is supremely seen in Jesus Christ. [Grace is that expression of love to those who deserve something else. Christ’s love by passes our unworthiness, our sinfulness, is unprovoked at our rebellion and stops short of nothing but gives itself in complete surrender.]
Although he was rich refers to Jesus’ preexistence as the Son of God. He enjoyed the presence of the Father and shared in His glory (John 17:5;1 Tim. 3:16). Yet the preexistent Christ laid aside what He could rightfully claim as His own and for the sake of others became incarnate and obedient unto death [Phil. 2:6-11].
[He through whom all things visible and invisible were created. He who possessed incalculable divine glory. It was Him who left the splendor of Heaven for the squalor of earth. The incarnation was the incomprehensible renunciation of spiritual and material glory. He emptied Himself, and humbled Himself to be born a man, made a servant of men and became obedient unto death of the cross. The One who was rich from the heavens descends to earth, Calvary and the grave. None was richer than He.]
He “became poor” refers to the incarnation of Jesus and His social standing while on earth (Luke 9:58). He who had everything of true value “became poor” [this word means abject poverty. He assumed mankind's debt of sin and paid for it with His life (Phil. 2:7-8).]
Jesus was born in a borrowed cradle, preached from a borrowed boat, rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, ate His Last Supper in a borrowed room, and was buried in a borrowed grave.
Why would He do such a [magnanimous gracious] thing? He did for us, for our sakes, that we “might become rich!” May become rich refers to salvation, that is the inheritance of God’s kingdom, eternal life, and glorification (1 Cor 15:50). You will never grasp the significance of Christ's self-impoverishment until you make it intensely personal. The love that embraced all mankind took you individually into account. We believers therefore ought to appreciate and imitate Jesus’ self-sacrifice on behalf of others.
We were all poor, spiritually, eternally, totally bankrupt before we met Jesus Christ. But now that we have trusted Him we share in His riches! Riches of mental and physical health, common sense, and abundant life. Riches like daily spiritual victory, joy, love, peace and holiness. We are now the children of God, "heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17).
Since this is true how can we not also give? The implication of the statement is too obvious for anyone to miss. Christ’s giving is the example and pattern for all ours. If Christ freely, graciously did this for me, then nothing I give or do for Him can be too much. To the person not in love with Jesus, giving is a difficult, painful, arduous, burdensome task. He who loves Jesus, on the other hand, is grateful to demonstrate his love. [Redeemed, purchased at incalculable cost, I am no longer my own, nor is anything I possess mine but His by right of this purchase. Though all we have is His He does not demand but ask that we follow His example. This makes the doing all the more blessed.]
II. FAITHFUL FOLLOW THROUGH (10-12).
Paul’s counsel in verse 10 is finish what you have begun. “I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.”
Paul states that he give his “opinion in this matter.” Again he is not issuing a command but his advise (8:8). He lets the example of Christ be the compelling factor and not a command. Grace giving must always come from a willing heart, it cannot be coerced or forced. But Paul does not simply want them to give, they were doing that, but “to desire to” give also. A desire to be willing to give primes the giving pump.
Paul encourages them to follow through and turn their desire to contribute into action in verse 11. “but now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.”
The Corinthian Christians had been the first to agree to the giving project (1 Cor 16:1–3) and then had hung back from implementing the promise. So with the words “but now” Paul exhorts them to carry their desire through to completion. The desire to help is not enough but it is a vital element from which the act flows. Willingness and desire though are not substitutes for doing.
Many people make noble and good resolutions but never follow through with them. We all know the old proverb "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." Paul's advice is to immediately put into action the resolutions of our heart that has been opened by the influences of the Divine Spirit. [See MacClaren, Alexander. Expositions of Holy Scriptures. Corinthians, Vol 14. 1978. Baker Book House. Grand Rapids, MI. p.37-42]. Our willingness to give often needs to be encouraged. God desires us to put our good intentions into concrete actions.
Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing without good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unless there is perseverance.
Verse 12 encourages the Corinthians to give according to their desire and means. “For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have”
“According to what one has” echoes Jesus’ teaching on giving and generosity (see Mark 12:41–44). God does not expect us to give what we do not have. They were expected to give according to their ability. Paul does not expect them to give beyond their ability like the Macedonians did.
While viewing the lost and down trodden or seeing some need in the church some say that if they were a millionaire they would do this and that. God is not concerned with what you would do if you had a million but what you do with what you have.
God sees not the portion but the proportion. If we could give more and do not, God notes it. If we want to give more and can not, God also notes that. God sees the heart gift and not the hand gift. In the ministry of giving, God is concerned first with the attitude of the individual. God notes the gift of the widows mite and the Macedonians extreme sacrifice, that to Him are far more than the grudging bestowal of the rich man. When we have given willingly according to what we have, we have practiced grace giving.
III. EXCHANGING BLESSINGS, 13-15.
Verse 13 indicates that God does not want us to impoverish our self by our giving. “For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality.
A guiding principle for material exchange is equality; not equal giving but equal sacrifice. God does not wanting to relieve some and press affliction on others. So Paul is careful to explain the mechanics of this operation. The Bible recognizes the right to property and wealth. Those who have possessions are not told to sell out and make themselves poor by giving to all needful Christian causes. This is why we talk in terms of percentages of giving. Giving is to be equitable causing affliction or poverty on none. [Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world, and to some less, that those who have abundance might help others who are in want.]
Grace giving includes more that just financial giving as verse 14 reveals. “at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for you need, that there may be equality;”
At that time the Corinthian Christians were enjoying a degree of material prosperity which was denied their brethren in Jerusalem. On the other hand the Jerusalem church was enjoying spiritual power totally unknown by the Corinthians Church. Once the Jerusalem Church received such a heart felt relief from their hunger situation they would rebound and pray the power of God down on the Corinthian and other predominantly Gentile churches (Rom. 15:27, 1 Cor. 9:11). By this spirit of reciprocity the church as a whole would be ministered to and unite together in their mutual faith.
Verse15 quotes Scripture as proof of this principle of equality. “Just as it has been written He who (gathered) much did not have too much and He who (gathered) little did not lack.
The miracle of the Manna illustrates this principle of sufficiently supplied. When God gave food to the Israelites in the wilderness He did so equally according to their needs (Ex. 16:16-18).
The context of this quotation [from Exodus 16:18] is that of the daily gathering by the Israelites of the Manna in the wilderness. Each day the people were suppose to gather an ōmer [small bowl] of the manna that miraculously appeared apparently much like the dew. No matter how much or little one gathered, each had only an ōmer. And if anyone tried to keep any of that ōmer it became infested with maggots except the double ōmers which was to be gathered prior to each Sabbath. Two ōmers could be gathered and it kept. It was truly daily bread.
So there was equality and sufficiency of daily bread for all. Any who attempted to store up manna untrusting of God's daily supply found that it went bad (putrefied) and was no longer serviceable for themselves or others.
The principle is that we are all pilgrims together heading for the same heavenly Canaan. God is to be trusted to supply the manna, the wealth. For all selfishly hoarded wealth corrupts.
Again God is not saying that it is unlawful for the rich Christian to live in greater elegance than the poor Christian, but that equality is to be observed to the extent that no poor Christian should go hungry, and that no Christian should withhold his abundance to the detriment of others.
IN CLOSING
The Apostle is not demanding a communization of wealth. What he is saying that hoarding of wealth to the detriment of others is detrimental to the hoarder. What about you today? Are you holding back your wealth be it monetary or in skills, talents, time or spiritual gifts from the Christian community?
If you are, you need to look at the example of Jesus Christ. The ultimate motivation for all Christian giving is the incarnation and crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Look to the cross, and then give in response. Christ offered Himself willingly and sacrificially—an example for all believers (John 10:18; 1 John 3:16). He who though He was rich became poor by bearing the filthy rags of your sins. Jesus willingly, graciously gave His life, both daily and ultimately. No man took Jesus’ life from Him but He laid it down of His own accord. God wants you to willingly follow Christ's example.
Jesus' life was His wealth. Your life is your true wealth also. God will not force you to lay it down, but will you lay it down of your own accord that others might become rich through Christ also? May God lead us to follow Jesus' example and live a life of love and generosity toward others.
