Book: Money and Possessions: The Quest for
Contentment
Pages:
89-91
Scripture: 2
Cor 9:7-15
God is
working through Paul in Asia Minor to draw others to Christ so they can become
a part of the Church, His Body. Now Paul is encouraging others to
join in God's work through Paul. Patricia's summary during Days 3
and 4 starts us off with Paul's appeal to the people.
Then in
verses 7-15, I'll paraphrase Paul's inspired words:
V7:
"I know you have made a commitment to further God's work of drawing others
to Jesus so they too can become a part of the Church. Cheerfully
give! God sees your heart and loves it when you give
cheerfully. I'm not compelling you to give, so don't give grudgingly
thinking, 'Paul is just trying to push me into giving.' You know I'm
not.
V8:
"God doesn't give us what we deserve; that's what His grace is all
about. Rather, He gives us more than we deserve; that's what Jesus
is all about. And when our hearts are secure in Jesus, we will have
all we need. That's what God's sufficiency is all
about. And when we have all we need, we will learn to cooperate with
God and so be a partner with Him in receiving His sufficiency. And
because His grace is more than we can ask or imagine, He will give us more than
sufficiency; He will give us abundance so that we will have more than enough
for every good deed He calls us to." Let's praise Him now! [that was my
little extra-- let's praise God now!] :-)
V9: "God
righteously supplied the needs of the people long ago. Remember your
history of His provision! And because you know that history and you
know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, you know that He will
do the same for you.
V10: "Not
only does God add to your supply (you just have to receive it by cooperating
with Him), but He also multiplies or increases it." Just a
thought of my own here. This is math, isn't it? God adds
and multiplies. We are to divide among ourselves. And the
next verse speaks of subtraction.
V11: "Even
though you have cheerfully given away some of your possessions, it may seem
like subtraction to you. But no! In the kingdom economy,
when you give away, you will be enriched-- or given back and given more. And
you know, of course, that you are just stewards."
My
comment: I think of enriched bread-- how bread producers take out
good things from the grain and then add a few measly things back in and call
the bread enriched. In God's economy, subtraction is so much more
health-ful :-) He doesn't take the good things from us; He lets us
give of His abundance. Then
who does He enrich? Us!!!! And not in the way Benny Hinn
claims. But God enriches us with freedom/liberty,
wisdom/discernment, joy/rejoicing, service/relationship.
"And
as I travel around with various ministry partners, sharing your gifts,
'thanksgiving to God' is the refrain we keep hearing. Hearts you have
blessed with your liberal giving are turning to God in
thanksgiving. Are you enriched when you hear this testimony from us?
V12: "And
be enriched yet more when you hear this further testimony: by your
liberal giving you are supplying the needs of those who are already followers
of Christ AND-- get this-- like I just said, all people who heard about your
giving (from the abundance God has given you) are thanking God too.
V13: "Those
who don't yet know God see how God's people care for each
other. They don't see the gospel of Christ as mere words with no
substance. They see the gospel of Christ as practical and
real. Your giving has put feet and hands to the preaching of the
gospel that we've shared in these areas. They hear us; then they see God because of your purposing it in
your hearts to give.
V14: "And
now the Body of Christ and even those yet to become part of the Body want to
see you and get to know you, have fellowship with you, have relationship with
you, because they have experienced God's grace through your giving heart. He
is drawing people to Jesus because of your giving. We are
connected! We are a Body! We are Christ's
Body! He is the Head!
V15: "Thank
You, God, for the indescribable Gift of Jesus Who gives us fellowship as His
Body and invites others to His Life!"
This
paraphrase is my answer to all the questions for Day 5 in the
book. Looking forward to your comments.
Lord, we
do indeed thank You for the indescribable gift of Jesus Who unites us as One.
Linda
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