Live Graciously, Give Generously
(2
Corinth 6-15—Ps Paw Liang)
How
is our giving? Let’s look into our heart: What’s the reason I give? What’s the
reason I won’t give? In chapter 8, Paul commends the Corinthians’ generosity
and in Ch 9, he emphasizes some principles in giving:
1) Give
in a way that it will be pleasing to God!
2) Give in a way that it will bring praises to God’s
name!
3) Give in a way that people will see the Christ in
you and pray for you!
1. A Grateful heart (vv 12-15)
This service that you
perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also
overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God (9:12). Giving is a respond to God’s kindness and generosity. Generosity is focus
on others, on God’s Kingdom. Generosity
starts from our relationship and knowledge about God. Our God is the God of abundance
who cares and provides us generously. In
the dessert, God taught the Israel to depend and trust Him. Using the Omer, Israel
had to take according to their needs. When they began to settle down in the
Promised Land, God taught them to be
generous and share with other, in the law of gleaning, “'When you reap the
harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the
gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner
residing among you. I am the LORD your God.'“ (Leviticus 23:22)
2.
A Purposeful & Cheerful Heart
Each of
you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (9:7)
Do we give a careful thought of how, where, and when to give? Our Lord is a
gracious Lord and He wants us to live graciously. He entrusts us with all kinds
of blessings so that we can live well. Do we take a pause to ponder all these blessings,
to enjoy the labour of our hands? We need to be a good steward of our own life
and the blessings that God has given to us. Give with a purpose, to please God
and to bless others so they, too, may experience the goodness of God, and in
return will pray for you. For this, we can’t live haphazardly. Carefully plan
for your life, allocate your resources, including time and money! Be gracious
to yourself! (Deut 14:26a) Every one of us has different needs, see what is
good for you and your family and “give purposefully—make a good calculation,
prepare for the giving”. Give as the spirit moves you, not out of compulsion
for God loves cheerful giver. Pray and ask God to help to work out on your
BUDGET? And learn the joy of giving-- See the joy of those who receives it. See
how people have been blessed because of your giving – ministry flourished.
3.
A Trustful Heart (vv 8-11)
The
Tithe is first and foremost is the matter of trust and good stewardship, not so
much the number: Where do we put our trust: our wealth or God? In fact the ancient
Israel had three tithes and gave 23% in total. What we do with our money
reveals our priorities, our values, our allegiance and our sense of security. A
grateful, cheerful and trustful heart is more important than obliging to the
law. Through the prophet Malachi, God challenges us, “Test me in this,” says
the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of
heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room
enough to store
Be
intentional about generosity; learn way to give and find out information how
you can give! Live graciously and give generously! Be gracious with yourself! Enjoy
God’s grace and blessings! Let the grace of God promotes a grateful heart in
you! May your grateful heart moves you to please God with all you are! Enable
you to be generous, to share God’s blessing to others so they too may praise
your God and pray for you. For generous is a sign of a disciple, not richness!
(PLT)
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