AUGUST 10 READING…2 CORINTHIANS 9
Paul starts out this chapter by reminding them that it is unnecessary for him to talk about this offering for the saints in Jerusalem since he knows that they are already planning on doing so, just as Paul has been saying that they would. He then tells them to get prepared or it’s going to be an embarrassing situation. Paul wanted them to have the collection completed before Titus’ arrival.
To motivate them, Paul provides an important principle in verse 6. In a proverb pulled directly from their knowledge of farming, the reaping is according to the sowing. The more you sow, the more you reap and vice versa. The harvest is directly proportional to the amount of seed sown. We find (3) kinds of givers here. Sad, mad or cheerful. We would do well to remember that we give to God with a shovel. He blesses us with a bulldozer.
Verse 8 begins with words that should soothe our souls. “God is able to ________”. We can fill in the blank and never be wrong. But in this case Paul emphatically reminds them that God is able to supply all grace, bountifully, always and with all sufficiency in everything, to have an abundance for every good deed which Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, are already prepared for us to accomplish. What more is needed when we have all grace, bountifully, always and with all sufficiency?
Paul closes with an Old Testament scripture to bolster his argument and reminding them that their giving will be a blessing to them and as well as others causing them to give praise and thanksgiving to God. The offering of the Corinthian church will be a testimony of their love. Paul then punctuates the entire discourse as he bursts out in spontaneous thanksgiving focused on Jesus, God’s indescribable, unspeakable, incomparable, incomprehensible, unimaginable, wonderful and perfect gift to us.
Please share your thoughts from today’s reading.
TOMORROW’S READING…2 CORINTHIANS 10
Devotional written by Dan Peña
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