Generosity: God’s Grace for Us (Part 2 of 2)
- Posted by Julee Huy
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IN THE SIGHT OF MAN
Thus far in 2 Corinthians 8, Paul has discussed the vital relationship between generosity and our faith in Christ. He taught those in Corinth that giving connects with the grace of God, the Gospel of Christ, and His provision throughout the Body. Now, Paul shifts his attention to discuss the importance of how our generosity, or lack thereof, is perceived by our fellow laborers. Paul begins by informing his readers that he planned this collection with intentionality for the sake of being perceived honorably. Paul appealed to Titus because of his earnest care for the Corinthians, having agreed to collect their gift of his own accord (2 Cor. 8:6, 16-17). Along with Titus, Paul sent a man with Titus known and appointed by the churches for his preaching of the Gospel (v.18-19). Sending along a man whom the churches knew shows Paul and his colleagues’ good will. Paul not only sends these two, but another who has also proven earnest: a man confident in what he knows of the Corinthians from Paul (v.22). It is through these efforts that Paul sought to avert any blame or suspicion that may have come by way of this generous gift (v. 20). Because he is the one administering a gift which others have put together, he explicitly aims to prove honorable in the sight of man (v. 21). But why is this so? Isn’t it only the Lord’s opinion that matters?
As Christians, many of us strive to prove honorable in the Lord’s sight and act accordingly. This is good and right, but these verses expose a common misunderstanding in our efforts to please the Lord. Yes, obedience to the Lord should be our highest aim, but how we conduct ourselves in our obedience oftentimes involves considering how our actions are perceived, especially in relation to money. Paul’s efforts to collect a gift for those in Jerusalem were driven by a good and right conviction to give generously as Christ has. But if he had failed to consider how man perceived his conduct, this act of grace may not have produced the results he intended. Paul’s dealings with multiple churches’ money could have been interpreted as greedy, deceptive, controlling or even scandalous, had he not handled the money with transparency, accountability, care, and especially love. His faithful obedience coupled with intentionality also allows onlookers to boast in the Lord and His work, not Paul’s.
A WILLING GIFT
In 2 Corinthians 9, after encouraging the Corinthians with news that their zeal had encouraged other believers, he wants their love to prove true by giving what they had promised a year prior (2 Cor. 9:3). Paul gently explains that, if their love comes up empty, he and the other messengers would be humiliated for their confident boasting of the Corinthians (v.4). Again, it demonstrates the importance of how our actions are perceived. Our decisions hold the capability to honor or humiliate our brothers and sisters. As Paul exhorts us elsewhere,
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor…Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” (Romans 12:10, 17).
At this point Paul reiterates that their generosity should remain as first intended, a willing gift. In order to show love and brotherly affection, we must never distort the purpose of generosity. Generosity stops being true the moment that it is done for the sake of reciprocity (v.5).
THANKFUL HEARTS
Paul finally comes to the point of his address concerning generosity. Upon a first reading, it seems contradictory to many of his claims about the purpose of giving: “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6). This may lead to the conclusion that generosity is a tit-for-tat game of prosperity (our reaping reflects how we’ve sown). But further contemplation reveals that this misunderstands what Paul means to assert. When Paul says that we reap sparingly or bountifully, he does not at all refer to the reaping of material gain. If that were true, then Jesus would have been the richest man to walk the face of the earth. Sowing generosity surely results in a harvest, but it is a harvest of righteousness (v. 10)! It is God who supplies and multiplies seeds for sowing. He not only provides for our need but also provides for our generosity. Through His ability to enrich us, He works in us to produce His righteousness! He is able to make grace abound in our lives, so that we remain sufficient in everything and abound in every good work (v. 8).
Lastly, it is cheerful giving that God desires (2 Cor. 9:7). Generosity should never stem from pride or guilt. We are able to cheerfully give rightly when we find contentment (v. 8). Only when we are content in Christ are we able to sacrifice what is less than eternal. A false dichotomy often appears from misunderstood generosity: the legalist says, “One needs to give to receive the grace of God” and the antinomian says, “One has no need to give because God has already given grace.” But this dichotomy misses the very point of Paul’s illustration; we give to be enriched in the grace that we’ve already been given! Through generosity, even if we live in poverty, we discover more of His riches and blessing. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). In Christ, we have received every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). Having all things, we are able to give generously, and in so doing, we are blessed with a life consumed by what is eternal and lasting. This is why Paul says that generosity not only provides for the needs of the saints, but overflows in many thanksgivings to God (2 Cor. 9:12)! The grace of giving redirects our focus to the One who showed us grace! Paul joyously states that through our generosity, brothers who either receive or observe our generosity will glorify God because of our care and also our submission to the Gospel. Generosity reveals the grace of God working in and through us, and this is an “inexpressible gift” (v.15)! Let us strive to use this undeserved gift and sow generosity with thankful hearts. When we hunger and thirst to reap the righteousness that comes from generosity, we will be filled!
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