Cheerful giver
Day 614, Friday, April 17
2 Corinthians Chapters 8 – 9
In chapter 9 we come to one of those verses that we hear quoted often, but usually only in part. Paul is again encouraging the Corinthians to give generously for the relief of the church at Jerusalem. In his encouragement he writes, “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.”
It seems we often hear the “God loves a cheerful giver” part without what comes before it, “not reluctantly or under compulsion.”
Giving, like other aspects of the Christian life, is a response to God’s grace, not an operation of God’s law. Or, as Paul says in 9:12, “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.” We give in response to how much we have received, not just to provide for a particular need.
If you think back to the letter to the Romans and the first letter to the Corinthians you will remember that Paul’s discussion of the offering came at the very end of those letters. That is his usual pattern.
Here, though, there are four more chapters of 2 Corinthians after the mention of the offering. That is one of the reasons some scholars believe that the remainder of 2 Corinthians was part of a separate letter.
The other reason for that belief is that the tone and topic change sharply with chapter 10. While the letter so far has been loving and conciliatory, Paul sounds angry and hurt in the remainder of the letter. This leads to the possibility that it is taken from the painful letter that Paul has referred to.
Friday meditation
Psalms 110:1-7
The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”
The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning’s womb.
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. He will drink from a brook along the way, and so he will lift his head high.
Prayer focus
Thank you for the many gifts you have given us. Take our gifts and multiply them for the building of your kingdom.
-Rev. Mark Fleming