Sunday, June 29 – 2 Corinthians 8, 9

1. Who was appointed to accompany Paul in delivering the offering to Jerusalem? (2 Corinthians 8:19)

2. What essential principle of Christian stewardship does Paul express? (2 Corinthians 8:20–21)

3. How is the concept of sowing and reaping applied to stewardship? (2 Corinthians 9:9)

4. What should the motive be behind offerings? (2 Corinthians 9:7)

In 2 Corinthians 8, the focus of the epistle shifts. In the previous seven chapters, Paul spoke about the comfort of God. The most natural reaction would be to say, “Paul, tell us more about this theme of comfort.” However, he abruptly changes the subject. So, what does Paul discuss in chapter 8? Collecting an offering for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. He suddenly brings us back to earth because now the theme is offerings.

The grace of God must always be acknowledged as the root and source of all good within us. It is a tremendous grace and favor from God that allows us to be useful to others and to contribute to the advancement of any good work. Paul commends the generosity of the Macedonians. Rather than needing exhortation from Paul, they urged him to accept the gift they had prepared.

Whatever we use or dedicate to God is merely giving Him what already belongs to Him. Nothing given for charitable purposes will be accepted by God or benefit us unless we first give ourselves to the Lord. By attributing all truly good works to the grace of God, we not only give glory to the One who deserves it, but we also show others where true strength lies. Abundant spiritual joy enlarges the hearts of people in their labor of love. This stands in stark contrast to the attitude of those who refuse to join any good work unless compelled to!

The temptation to neglect human needs and Christian stewardship may indeed be a greater issue in the 21st century than it was two millennia ago. The abundance of material goods and the drive to accumulate wealth permeate our society, becoming “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches” (cf. Mark 4:19).

Paul uses the illustration of seeds to explain that God’s resources should not be hidden, squandered carelessly, or wasted, but cultivated to yield a greater harvest. When we invest what God has given us, He will provide us with even more to share.

In 2 Corinthians 9:12–15, Paul emphasizes the spiritual rewards for those who give generously to God’s work. We should not expect to become wealthy from our donations. Those who receive your gifts will rejoice and pray for you. By blessing others, you are blessed yourself. The Clear Word paraphrase states, “Those who benefit from your gift will not only thank God but will also pray for you and long to meet you because of the way in which you reflected God’s love” (The Clear Word, commentary on 2 Corinthians 9:14).
Scripture often describes Christ as God’s supreme gift to humanity (John 3:16; Galatians 1:4; Titus 2:14, etc.). The theme of redemption is inexhaustible and unfathomable, beyond the grasp of finite human understanding. No matter how much people study, they can never fully uncover its beauty or exhaust its riches.

“Gratitude to God prepares the way for the reception of His blessings. The heart that has been emptied of self will be the most receptive to the Spirit of God.
When we have unselfish love for others, the Spirit of Christ abides in us. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within… Only those who are thus taught of God, who seek the unfolding of His grace as the treasure above all others, will be able to be workers together with Him.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 551–552)

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9:15 affirms: “Gratitude to God prepares the way for obedience to His will and for the reception of power to engage in unselfish service. He who is full of gratitude toward God will seek to fulfill all the divine requirements, not because he is under compulsion but because he chooses to do so. Gratitude to God is the foundation of an effective Christian experience.” (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1101)

“The blessing of God upon the sincere offering has made it the source of great results. The widow’s mite has been like a tiny stream flowing down through the ages, widening and deepening in its course, and contributing in thousands of directions to the extension of the truth and the relief of the needy.
Generosity is a duty not to be neglected for any consideration. But let not the rich or the poor flatter themselves that their offerings to God can atone for their defects of Christian character. The great apostle wrote: ‘Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.’ (1 Corinthians 13:3)” (Signs of the Times, January 21, 1886; Reflecting Christ, September 11)

“The Lord calls for our gifts and offerings for the development of a spirit of benevolence in us. He is not dependent on man’s means to sustain His cause. He declares by the prophet: ‘Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine… for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.’” (Psalm 50:10–12, Signs of the Times, January 21, 1886)

May God give you a thankful and generous heart.