Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries, Student Workbook, SW16

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D O I N G J U S T I C E A N D L O V I N G M E R C Y : C O M P A S S I O N M I N I S T R I E S

Becoming a Cheerful Giver

Devotion

2 Cor. 9.6-15 - The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [7] Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. [9] As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” [10] He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. [12] For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. [13] By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, [14] while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. [15] Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! What is the secret to the blessing and abundance of God on our lives? Many Christian essays and articles are being written and Christian broadcasts being delivered over radio and television all claiming to have the answer to this question. In many cases, these messages provide a kind of technical, wooden, even mechanistic view of God. “If you do such-and-such, God must do so-and-so.” Appeals and explanations such as this give the impression that Christianity is essentially a form of white magic: all we need for the blessing of God to penetrate every area of our lives is for us to confess the right words, over and over, never doubting, and we can affirm ourselves into prosperity, wealth, health, and abundance. Such an appeal has been the subject matter for many so-called teachers of the Word, and have garnered huge followings of people who desire to have the best of both worlds, all through the name of the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 8-9 Paul brilliantly lays out his own argument to the Corinthians about their need to be liberal and selfless in their contribution for the provision of the needy saints in Jerusalem. Rather than lay out a kind of magical claim or word about confession or affirmation, Paul roots the promise of God’s abundant provision and supply in the Corinthian’s generosity and hospitality. To the extent that they learn how to be generous, hilarious, and prodigal in their giving, to that extent they would experience the supply of God. Generosity and giving, care and service, compassion and hospitality are the ways of blessing, according to the

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