The Daily Fountain Devotional Tuesday, August 23, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
TOPIC: GIVING TO GLORIFY GOD
TEXT: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. 6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Tuesday, August 23, 2022
INTRODUCTION TEXT
Today's lesson is the continuation of yesterday's meditation. Paul had already boasted about the Achaians' willingness to make contributions for the famine victims. So he sent Titus, and two other brothers, to Achaia in order that the contribution he made ready before his arrival (8:6,16-18, 23; 1 Cor. 16:1 -4). He sent brethren ahead so that he would not be embarrassed or disappointed when he arrived if they had not yet made the contribution. Paul perceived that some people wanted to discourage them, so apart from sending brethren, he also wrote in order to encourage them to carry out their planned contribution. He urged them to give as a matter of generosity, not of grudging obligation (v.5).
I le told them that whatever they sowed, they would reap in the same measure (v.6). Reaping sparingly or bountifully, did not imply that they would reap material things for their generous giving but rather referred to the spiritual blessing of eternal glory. Whatever they gave was to be seen as a sacrificial contribution which God alone would reward.Dearly beloved, let us endeavour to give the gift that gives glory to God, not as eye service or a show-off, so that we can reap bountifully, spiritually and physically, knowing very well that there is nothing we do for God that will go without reward. And whatever we sow, we will surely reap, whether it be good or bad.
Prayer: Dear Lord, create in me the heart that gives generously.