2 Cor 9- Psalm 24:1 

Think of what we read of in Roman 4:24 -5:5 That because of God’s love, He gave His one and only Son for the propitiation of our sin and because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross we are justified –Just-as-if-I-never sinned! We have peace with God, we have access to Grace, to the grace in which we now stand, and we can rejoice in our afflictions because we know that all things work for our good. See Roman 4:24-5:5

In verses 1-5 he is reminding them of their eagerness, zeal, their want to, in giving to the Church in Jerusalem and he does not want them to be put to shame as he has bragged on them for their ministry to the saints.

And he has urged 3 of his traveling companions (Titus and 2 others) to go on ahead of him with this letter so that the gift they promised would be ready to go with him when he arrived. Paul wants their willingness to give, to be matched by their actions.

Vs. 6 This is not some prosperity Gospel that you need to give more to get more material wealth and possessions. While this is a true statement: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously, this should not be the foundation of our giving…

You can only “sow” out of what God has given you to sow out of. We are called to tithe 10% of our first fruits. This was a witness of their obedience and reverence for God. Tithing showed their trust and faith in God, that He would provide for them…

I have heard it said that there is no reference to tithing here and even that there is no reference to tithing in the NT, but Jesus said in Matthew 23:23, Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. (sounds like some today) These things should have been done without neglecting the others. It is our duty to give back to God, an act of worship, and a denial of self.  (see Luke 9:23)

People who have their mind set on the flesh resent being called to give back from what they have been given, to make sacrifices. And that they also resent being told that their minds are set on the flesh. That they have more faith in the physical, what they can see and feel and touch, than in what God Says.

 and it should be done out of love and gratitude, from the heart, for all that God has given you.

And it should be done cheerfully since giving is an expression of love. if your giving is mere duty, then it is of the law and not of grace. Our giving is truly a sharing in what God has given us. it is following Christ in His giving.

Vs. 8 When we give we can trust God to supply as He is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. Every Grace you need to fulfill your purpose and every Grace we need to fulfill our purpose, here, as a congregation of His Church is ours in Christ! We receive the Grace we need in every good work we are called to do.

Believers give back to God thru the church because of our gratitude to him. Our giving is a reminder of the blessings of God’s Grace, what He gives us, and gave to us through Jesus Christ. This is the indescribable Gift of God’s grace to all who believe and trust and have faith in God.

Questions: How are you giving back to God? Which do you serve more with your time and talent God or money? How are you helping to reach the lost in our communities?

Further Reading: Romans 4:24-5:5, 8:28-29, Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Timothy 6:10, Matthew 6:24, Proverbs 11:24-25 Malachi 3:7-12, Matthew 23:23, Luke 6:38, Acts 20:35, Romans 12:13, 1^st Timothy 6:17-19, Hebrews 13:5, 16, James 1:17, Psalm 50