How to Be Enriched By Giving (2 Cor 9:1-15)
Most people like to give to a dynamic vision. Contributors do not like having to just give regularly to just meet needs. People want to give to something that is significant that will give them a sense of eternal enrichment. Jesus promised those who would give to expand His kingdom that very result when He said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also."
When people are given an envisioning of the great things God can do through their eternal investments they will be motivated to give of their time, talents and treasures.
The following are several principles of giving that will enrich, envision and empower you:
1. Purpose - People need to know that their giving goes for a purpose that is greater than what they are using it presently. (2 Cor 8:4) Paul wrote to the Corinthians to urge them to give toward the planting, growing and outreach of the strategic urban church in Jerusalem. When people know that they can give toward the glory of God by the fulfillment of the great commission in the most strategic ways, they are more apt to give.
2. Problem-Solving - People are inspired to give when their fears are alleviated. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the Spirit of power, love and a self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:7) Some people are afraid that God will not take care of them if they give to Him. Jesus assured us that if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, all these things would be added to us. (Matt 6:24-33) Paul assures us, "God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." (2 Cor 9:8)
People hesitate to give generously because God they are often overcome by worry about tomorrow. Jesus said, "Do not worry about tomorrow, it will take care of itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own." (Matt 6:34) The person who gives a little will only see God reciprocate with a little return. Do not let a lack of faith hinder you from giving cheerfully and generously.
3. Pride-busters - Some people hesitate to ask people to give because they are too prideful to request others’ help. Too many of us are fiercely independent and we expect people to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. There is a great personal and smug satisfaction thinking that we do not need anyone’s help because we can take care of ourselves. It is an indication of our lack of dependence on God which is sin. Jesus used the widow and her two mites to shame the prideful Pharisees who gave out of their abundance when HE declared, "She gave more than all the rest because she gave all that she had." God humbles the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and you will be exalted in the proper time.
I.E. - If we have 80 million evangelicals in the USA and they are worth 3 trillion what would happen if the rapture occurred today. All of that money would fail to be invested for eternity. All of those believers would regret their pride for eternity in not having given more of their assets to the Lord and His great commission ministries knowing that many more church planting ministries could have been supported around the world with that money.
4. Readiness and Willingness - Paul advocates an eagerness, readiness and personal choice to be willing to give generously and not just the basic 10% to the Lord’s visionary ministries. Our attitude in giving is essential since giving grudgingly or out of necessity is unpleasing to the Lord. The Lord is concerned about how we give and why we give as what we donate. Let us ask the Lord to give as an expression of our grateful for His indescribable gift of Christ for our salvation, sanctification and securities that are found in the generous promises of God.
5. Leadership - Paul teaches the Corinthians that we all need leaders to urge, instruct and direct people in the best ways to give. Ask the Lord to help you find visionary leaders who are best investing in the church planting and growth ministries like KP Yohannan of GospelforAsia.org which are planting sixteen churches each day on average in the ten most unreached countries of the world in Asia. They are able to help people support a church planter for $30/ month. Paul writes, "Such gifted speakers, such knowledge such enthusiasm and such love for us - now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving." (2 Cor 8:7)
6. Honesty and Integrity and Honor - Give to those people and groups that have a record of integrity. Paul writes, "We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to know we are honorable." (2 Cor 8:21)We ask the LOrd to guide us to give to people who are not to be regarded with suspicion or misappropriation. HOwever, it is based on the credibility of the leader as we cannot audit everyone’s books. Ask the Lord to help you give to people who are credible, honest and transparent about how they are using the donations for Christ’s greater evangelistic, outreach and kingdom expansion ministries.
7. Supervisors - Paul sent people to make sure that the funds were continually forthcoming and would be use in an accountable way. Paul wrote, "We are also sending another brother with Titus. He is highly praised in all the churches as a preacher of the Good News. He was appointed by the churches to accompnay us as we take the offering for Jerusalem - a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help. By traveling together we guard against suspicion for we are anxious that no one should find fault with the way we are handling this generous gift." (2 Cor 8:19,20) See to it that you have qualified financial people who are responsible, effective and experienced in handling funds. We all need to have people on the ground who can keep the funds and the projects moving.
8. Multiplication - Ask the Lord to find people who can best multiply your giving for the planting, growing and expansion of many strategic churches throughout the world where about 4.8 billion people are yet to be presented with a personal presentation of the gospel to make an intelligent decision about where they will spend eternity. Paul wrote, "For God is the one who gives the seed to the farmer and the bread to eat. In the sme way, he will give you many opportunities to do good and he will produce a great harvest of generosity and righteousness in and through you." (2 Cor 9:10)
9. Results - Then Paul assures his readers that they will be enriched, empowered and elevated as a result of their generous giving. Go to generousgiving.com and see hundreds of worthwhile projects that you can give toward. "You will be enriched so that you can given even more generously. and when you take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God. So two good things will happen - the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem will be met and they will joyfully express their thanksgiving to God. You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. for your generosity to them will prove that youare obedient to the Good News of Jesus Christ and They will pray for you with deep affection because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you." (2 Cor 9:11-14)
