“Fruit of His Ways”
“Fruit of His Ways”
Blessings folk!
We pick back up with Proverbs.
(Be certain to give as the Lord leads…
)With what is your heart filled?
Pro 14:10-14
The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.
The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and the end of joy may be grief.
The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,
and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
It is simple.
The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways…
- bitterness
- joylessness
- destruction
- ache
- grief
- the way of death
The good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways…
- flourishing tent/home
- laughter
- joy
Which heart?
What is the fruit of your ways?
“’Tis Time”
“’Tis Time”
Blessings folk!
Took a “day off” yesterday from posting.
Usually miss 1-2 days a year…accidentally.
This time things were busy.
Had a “celebration of life” for our second daughter.
A precious, real time with family and friends.
Reminded of…
Ecc 3:1-8
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
A weekend of weeping, laughing, mourning and dancing.
It is good…
"Run"
“Run!”
Blessings folk!
We saw that Paul does all for the sake of the gospel.
He desired to share the gospel with all people.
1 Co 9:23
I do it all for the sake of the gospel,
that I may share with them in its blessings.
Now, read how the Spirit leads Paul to close this (two chapter!) teaching on giving…
1 Co 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?
So run that you may obtain it.
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.
They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
But I discipline my body and keep it under control,
lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Run the “race” of faith with discipline.
Exercise self-control…in all things.
We are in pursuit of an Imperishable wreath.
Run with focus. Not aimlessly.
Keep your body under control.
Keep yourself disciplined…body, soul, spirit.
Live as He directs.
Give as He directs.
All to the praise and glory of His grace…
Eph 1:5-6
In love
he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ,
according to the purpose of his will,
to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
“For the Sake of the Gospel”
“For the Sake of the Gospel”
Blessings folk!
We have seen that the Word has much to say about “giving”.
We have seen that “giving” goes well beyond the common, current “teaching” on “tithing”.
Now, give heed to what the Spirit says through Paul about giving.
Remember the context of the entirety of 1 Cor. 8-9
1 Co 9:19-23
For though I am free from all,
I have made myself a servant to all,
that I might win more of them.
To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews.
To those under the law I became as one under the law
(though not being myself under the law)
that I might win those under the law.
To those outside the law I became as one outside the law
(not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ)
that I might win those outside the law.
To the weak I became weak,
that I might win the weak.
I have become all things to all people,
that by all means I might save some.
I do it all for the sake of the gospel,
that I may share with them in its blessings.
Here is the bottom line.
Paul gave himself.
Remember what we saw at the beginning?
We begin to give by giving ourselves to the Lord.
Now, we see that we give ourselves to others.
Paul was free from all.
Yet, he made himself servant of all.
To the Jew he “became” a Jew to win them.
To the Gentile (those outside the Law) he became one of them to win them.
To the weak, weak.
He became all things to all people so as to win all people to the gospel.
He did all for the sake of the gospel.
He gave all for the sake of the gospel.
This is not some “spiritual chameleon masquerading in witchcraft”.
Paul is saying that he gave himself so that others would know the gospel and the joy, liberty, freedom and salvation thereof.
May we do likewise.
“Reward?”
“Reward?”
Blessings folk!
We saw previously that Paul said…
1 Co 9:14
In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
Wanna guess the next word?
“But…”
Read carefully and discern Paul’s heart.
1 Co 9:15-18
But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting.
For necessity is laid upon me.
Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward,
but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my reward?
That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge,
so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Paul was reminding them that he had not demanded any rights of support from them.
He tells them that he is not seeking any now.
Paul’s “grounded” calling was the necessity to preach the gospel.
The good news.
What was his reward?
Not the financial provision procured from others.
His reward was the freedom to preach the gospel free of charge.
To owe no man obligation nor materiel.
Paul did not want to be “limited” in his ability to present the gospel.
Perhaps. “To owe no man anything”…
Rom 13:8
Owe no man anything, save to love one another:
for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
“The Lord Commanded…”
“The Lord Commanded…”
Blessings folk!
The Spirit continues to reveal to us Truth through Paul and the Word to the Body in Corinth.
Read carefully.
Note the patterns of giving and provision.
1 Co 9:9-14
For it is written in the Law of Moses,
“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.”
Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
Does he not certainly speak for our sake?
It was written for our sake,
because the plowman should plow in hope
and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
If we have sown spiritual things among you,
is it too much if we reap material things from you?
If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?
Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right,
but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
In the same way,
the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
We should not muzzle those teaching/proclaiming the Gospel of Christ/Kingdom.
Refusing to provide material needs is muzzling.
The plowman plows in hope.
The thresher threshes in hope.
In hope of a harvest.
In hope of a shared crop.
In the same way, those who sow spiritual things among you should reap material things from you.
Paul had chosen to not exercise this right with the Corinthians.
He knew it might be an obstacle to them.
Still, he now teaches them what they should be doing.
It is for their benefit.
Paul uses the example of Old Covenant Temple service.
Those employed in such received from the sacrificial offerings.
In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
Note it is a command!
Ask yourself…
Ask the Lord…
Where should you be sowing?
To whom should you be the source of provision?
“Muzzled”
“Muzzled”
Blessings folk!
Following up on giving to support those from whom you receive, especially teaching of the Word, etc.
Paul was defending himself before the Body at Corinth.
Some folk had said some things.
Imagine!?
Give close heed to what the Spirit leads Paul to write…
1 Co 9:19
Am I not free?
Am I not an apostle?
Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
If to others I am not an apostle,
at least I am to you,
for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
This is my defense to those who would examine me.
Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife,
as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?
Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?
Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?
Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit?
Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
Do I say these things on human authority?
Does not the Law say the same?
For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
Paul was firing off a series of questions to get them to consider some things.
Here is the bottom line.
Paul was an apostle.
They were his “workmanship” - they had believed because He brought the gospel to them.
They were the “seal of his apostleship”.
There were those who were questioning Paul and his “credentials”.
This is how he responded.
He and his entourage had the right to eat/drink.
They had the right to take a believing wife with them…as others did. (Tells us some things!)
They had the right to “refrain from working for a living”…in other words to be supported by those who received from them.
Paul gives some examples…
- A soldier does not serve at his own expense
- One who plants a vineyard shares in the fruit thereof
- A shepherd gets some of the milk from the flock
Paul says he is not “making this up”.
Paul states that the Law says the same…”do not muzzle an ox”.
God is not concerned about the ox.
God is concerned about those who propagate/teach the gospel.
There are too many who have grown fat with gluttony and abuse of the Body, living off the sheep while not shepherding.
There are too many that continue to muzzle the ox.
What is happening where you are?
Are you muzzling the ox by not sharing?
“Do Not Grow Weary"
“Do Not Grow Weary"
Blessings folk!
Are you sowing?
Where?
As the Lord leads?
As the Lord leads your heart?
In fertile soil of the Spirit?
Or, in the barren soil of man?
Gal 6:8-10
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption,
but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap,
if we do not give up.
So then,
as we have opportunity,
let us do good to everyone,
and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Press on in sowing!
Do not grow weary of doing good.
You will reap…in due season.
Do not give up!
Therefore, do good!
As you have opportunity sow good.
Begin with the household of faith.
Again, do not grow weary.
Do good!
Sow!
Give as the Spirit leads!
“Sow to the Spirit”
“Sow to the Spirit”
Blessings folk!
Yesterday we saw that we are to share all good things with those who bring forth good teaching of the Word in our lives…
Gal 6:6
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
Now, read the very next verses.
Gal 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption,
but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
The warning is stark and sudden.
One moment an exhortation to share with those from whom you have received.
The next a warning.
Do not be deceived.
A command,
An instruction.
A warning.
Something that we have responsibility over.
We are not to be deceived.
Deceived in what way?
The next statement helps.
“God is not mocked”!
One can not deceive God.
He knows the intent and purposes of our heart.
He knows why we “sow seed”.
If we sow to our own flesh, we will reap fleshly corruption.
If we sow to the Spirit, from the Spirit we will reap eternal life.
Too many “give” to “my/our church” under a supposed spiritual but actually a fleshly desire.
Just listen to the language used…”my church”, “our church”, “what are we to do?”, “get people to come to church”, etc. etc.
Sow to the Spirit.
All else will be added.
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“Share All Good Things”
“Share All Good Things”
Blessings folk!
There is freedom and liberty in the Lord in giving.
We have seen much so far.
Much that is different from what people “think”.
I mentioned earlier that we should give to those from which we receive.
Personally we give in varied way…
- to a church plant that is truly seeking to establish the Kingdom in a biblical way
- to an education business that produces some of the best Bible teaching product available.
- to a personal ministry of an outstanding academic and biblical communicator.
- there are several others that I have determined to alway procure their product in support of what they do.
- etc. etc.
I have received much teaching, insight and revelation from these.
Therefore, I know they are good soil in which to sow.
I do not want to waste the seed of the Lord.
Consider this…
Gal 6:6
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
If you are receiving good teaching from the Word, then share with those that teach.
The “good things” does speak of materiel needs and the like.
This enables the teacher to teach even more.
To study more.
To pray more.
To expand the Kingdom in the manner the Lord desires.
1 Th 5:12-13
We ask you, brothers,
to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
Share.
Respect.
Support.
Those who teach the Word.
Be at Peace.
“Faith”
“Faith”
Blessings folk!
We are to give to meet the needs of other, beginning with the household of faith.
Gal 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone,
and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
We have been “trained” that this can only take place by funneling resources through a religious institution.
This is not true.
As a matter of fact, it is limiting.
It places us in the mind-set that “it is someone else’s responsibility to take what we have given and apply it as needed”.
The Lord wants each of us to give without the “middle-man”.
Jas 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him?
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
and one of you says to them,
“Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body,
what good is that?
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Giving is a deed and action arising from faith.
Give as led by the Lord.
Give as you have determined in your heart.
Meet the needs of others.
Freely give.
Freely receive.
Let us break the walls and barriers of man.
Let us give with an abundance beyond our resources.
Let us give by the Power and Presence of the Most High God.
“As You Decide…”
“As You Decide…”
Blessings folk!
Let us look a little closer at a truth about giving that we saw earlier.
2 Co 9:7
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart,
not reluctantly
or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
This is really interesting.
This “goes against” much of what I have experienced within the Body of Christ.
We are to give as each one has decided in his heart.
You mean we each can decided?
Yes.
Most of us have experienced “being compulsed”, the compulsion of mis-teaching related to “the tithe”. The mis-teaching of “if you give, God will give it back to you”.
Compulsion in the name of the Lord has been the bedrock for much “teaching” on giving.
Such is wrong.
It creates a spirit of reluctance within believers.
We are to seek the Lord with our heart, mind, soul and strength.
He will guide our hearts as to our giving, some other man and their agenda.
If you feel compulsed, do not give.
If you are reluctant, wait until the Lord calms and directs your heart.
Deu 15:7-11
“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother,
but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.
Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say,
‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the LORD against you, and you be guilty of sin.
You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him,
because for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.
For there will never cease to be poor in the land.
Therefore I command you,
‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
Open wide your hand to your brother, the needy, the poor, in your land.
Give freely.
Do not be grudging in giving.
Take care. Be aware of the unworthy thought against a brother.
The Lord will bless you in all your work.
He will bless you in all you undertake.
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“Give to the Poor”
“Give to the Poor”
Blessings folk!
We are to give to the poor…
Psa 41:1-3
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
Blessed is the one who considers the poor!
In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him;
the LORD protects him and keeps him alive;
he is called blessed in the land;
you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.
The LORD sustains him on his sickbed;
in his illness you restore him to full health.
Pro 11:18
The wicked earns deceptive wages,
but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
Pro 11:24
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
Pro 19:17
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will repay him for his deed.
Pro 22:9
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor
Give to the poor.
You will be blessed.
You will be delivered by the Lord in the day of trouble.
The Lord will protect you.
The Lord will keep you alive.
The Lord will sustain you in sickness.
The Lord will restore you to full health.
You will have a sure reward.
Give freely?
Grow all the richer.
Withhold what should be given?
Suffer want.
When you are generous to the poor you are lending to the Lord.
He will repay.
Share with the poor.
Be Blessed.
“I Commend You”
“I Commend You”
Blessings folk!
Paul was on his way to Jerusalem.
He summons the elders of the Body in Ephesus for some final words.
Note the principles we see about “giving”…
Act 20:31-35
Therefore be alert,
remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities
and to those who were with me.
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said,
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
What do we learn?
Paul gave…
- of himself
- his time day/night/three years
- of his tears…his emotions…his strength
- to the Lord…commended them to God
- to the word of God’s grace
- them to the inheritance the Lord has prepared for them
Paul made a point in this situation to provide for his and his entourage's needs.
Other places there was provisions from the folk.
The point is that he did not do the work of the Kingdom to take from the people.
He did not covet their silver, gold nor apparel.
He set the model of giving/living by example.
Working hard.
Helping the weak.
Above all, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”!
Giving is so much more than we thought…
“Respect. Esteem. Love."
“Respect. Esteem. Love."
Blessings folk!
How different our “giving” would be if we gave according to the Word of God and according to the Spirit of God.
I challenge us to do so.
Make the changes.
Make the adjustments.
If you have previous commitments, honor them.
If you find that they are not aligned with biblical teaching, then discontinue after fulfilling the commitment.
Listen to the Spirit to guide you.
You are free.
You are at liberty.
Here is another truth.
1 Th 5:12-13
We ask you, brothers,
to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.
Be at peace among yourselves.
Note the things that we are to “give”…
- respect
- esteem
- love
- peace
To whom are we to “give” such?
- those who are over you
- those who admonish you
How?
- we are to esteem them very highly, because of their work
(sadly many do not work, the Word addresses that in other places)
- we are to be at peace among ourselves.
Do you want to “give” something to the leadership of your portion of the Body?
- Esteem them very highly in love
- Be at peace among yourselves.
Be certain that your love, peace and esteem are not limited.
It is great to be “appreciated”.
Sadly, the “power company” does not take “appreciation” as payment.
Also, give to those who speak into your lives.
I know that personally, I give to situations that I do not know personally, yet their work has high impact in my life.
You want to sow in good ground.
You do not want to sow in barren, fallow ground of religion.
“Giving Selah”
“Giving Selah”
Blessings folk!
We are to give…
- give yourself
- by the grace of God
- in abundance of joy
- overflowing in generosity
- according to our means
- beyond our means
- of our own accord
- in support of fellow believers/saints
- complete it
- excel
- it is an act of grace…grace from the Lord
- as the Lord leads
- readily
- with what we have, not what we do not have
- not a burden
- an ease
- supplying the need of others
- others fulfilling our need
- fairness…”as it is written”
- with zeal
- with planning
- sharing the zeal with OneAnother as a source of encouragement and exhortation
- help others, beginning with the household of faith
- honor a commitment…with zeal
- prepare in advance
- set aside regularly in preparation
- give willingly
- encourage and exhort OneAnother
- refuse to participate in exaction…either mandating or responding to a mandate
- in thanksgivings to God
- in thanksgivings for OneAnother
This is so different from what is experienced in most organizational religious gatherings.
So many make demands.
Mandates. Dictates.
Literal orders.
I know of several that dictate that “if you are ‘in leadership’, then you must give ten-percent”.
Such is not the way of the Lord.
And we wonder why we are often lacking?
It is because we trust our abilities to create rather than trust God and His ability.
Repent of such.
There is much more.
The Proverbs say much about resources, giving, etc.
For today, take all we have learned before the Lord.
Ask Him to reveal what He desires to do in/through you.
Then rejoice in living the life of freedom and liberty of giving.
“Inexpressible”
“Inexpressible”
Blessings folk!
Are you overflowing in thanksgivings to God?
Are you overflowing in anticipation of the many ways that He wants you to “give”?
Are you overflowing in His Truth?
Are you being set free unto liberty, especially related to “giving”?
The Word will do this.
Give heed to the Word of God.
Adhere to the traditions of God.
Reject the traditions of man.
The Spirit leads Paul to describe what will happen when their gift is received…
2 Co 9:13-15
By their approval of this service,
they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,
while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Do you see what is happening?
The people receiving the offering, the poor, beleaguered believers in Jerusalem, will glorify God!
Why?
Because of the gift.
Yes.
But, wait!
There is more!
Because of the gift that came due to a changed heart from the Corinthians confession of the gospel of Christ.
They heard the gospel.
They believed.
Their belief resulted in an action…generosity of contribution to others.
Then note.
Those who they had never met would long for them.
They would pray for them.
Why?
Because of the grace of God.
The grace of God upon them.
The grace of God that is unsurpassed.
Paul literally shouts through the pages…”THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS INEXPRESSIBLE GIFT!”
Not the gift of provision.
This is good, but it is only the fruit of the true gift.
The Gift of God’s grace poured out in salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
As we saw at the beginning, it is through giving ourselves to His grace that we give properly.
“Overflowing”
“Overflowing”
Blessings folk!
“Giving” is much more than just “giving to meet a need”.
Yes.
The Corinthians had sought to help those in Jerusalem.
But, watch what happens.
We have seen a hint of this earlier.
Now…
2 Co 9:12
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints
but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
“The ministry of this service”…collecting and offering for the saints.
It supplies for the needs of the saints.
But what else?
It results in the overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
Thanksgivings to God from those who give.
Thanksgivings to God from those who receive.
Thanksgivings to God from those who hear about it.
True biblical, Spirit-led giving has a fruit and impact far beyond what most have experienced.
Paul says more…which we will look at later.
For today, give as you have learned from the Word so far.
Watch what the Lord does.
“Enriched”
“Enriched”
Blessings folk!!
Yesterday we read this…
2 Co 9:9
As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
It is a quote…”as it is written”…from the Psalms…
Psa 112:9
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn is exalted in honor.
What is the Spirit saying to us?
The following verses give insight…
2 Co 9:10-11
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way,
which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
He - God - who meets our need for seed and bread, will supply and multiply our seed for sowing…giving…and will increase the harvest of our righteousness.
Think on that!
The Lord supplies that which will be given.
It is the Lord’s.
We simply carry it, looking for where He wants to sow.
The outcome,
We will be enriched…in every way…to be generous…in every way.
All of which produces thanksgiving to God.
This is the true way to give.
Any other way is the confusion, chicanery, manipulation and witchcraft of man.
“Cheerful”
“Cheerful”
Blessings folk!
Paul is coming to a point.
How do I know?
He says so.
What does the Lord tell us about giving…
2 Co 9:6-9
The point is this:
whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart,
not reluctantly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you,
so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times,
you may abound in every good work.
As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
We are to “sow” bountifully.
We will thereby reap bountifully.
We are to give as each one has decided in his heart.
Not reluctantly.
Not under compulsion (we have been “compulsed” for far too long).
We are to give with cheer, joy…hilariously!
God loves this.
God is able to make all grace abound toward us.
God will give all sufficiency in all things at all times.
All sufficiency.
All things.
All times.
God freely distributes His enduring righteousness…forever.
This is a different picture of giving compared to what most have experienced.
Cheer.
Joy.
Freedom.
Liberty.
As each individual determines in their heart.
Without reluctance.
Without compulsion.
God directed.
Sounds exciting, no?
Sow bountifully.
“Exaction”
“Exaction”
Blessings folk!
The Body of Christ in the area of Corinth had promised to help support the saints in Jerusalem.
Read some more about what Paul says about this…give close heed to principles…
2 Co 9:1-5
Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints,
for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.
But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.
Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident.
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.
Paul wanted to help them be ready with the gift.
He did not want them to wait until the last minute.
It is much easier to save $10 a month than to collect $120 at the end of the year.
So, the principles for giving?
- help others, beginning with the household of faith (we will see that later)
- honor a commitment…with zeal
- prepare in advance
- set aside regularly in preparation
- give willingly
- encourage and exhort OneAnother
- refuse to participate in exaction…either mandating or responding to a mandate…such usually borders on witchcraft
Let us give in the freedom and liberty of the Lord.
“Zeal That Stirs”
“Zeal That Stirs”
Blessings folk!
Giving!
Are you beginning to see the truths in the Word related to “giving”?
Are you beginning to feel some freedom and liberty?
Are you beginning to see some of the man-made shenanigans of the past…present?
But wait!
There is more!
2 Co 9:1-2
Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints,
for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.
Paul says that there is no reason to say it…but he will say it anyway…they had a readiness to “minister to the saints”…helping the Believers in Jerusalem.
Paul had boasted to the Believers in Macedonia about the Corinthians.
They had made a promise a year earlier.
They were following through with the promise…Paul hoped.
Paul then acknowledges their zeal.
Zeal to help.
Zeal to give.
Their zeal to give had stirred other portions of the Body of Christ as Paul shared.
How should we give?
- with zeal
- with planning
- sharing the zeal with OneAnother as a source of encouragement and exhortation
By now we likely are wondering.
What would the Body of Christ “look like” if we really gave in the manner of the Word?
I suspect that our resources would be redeemed.
Time would be redeemed.
The Lord would exponentially expand His Body.
“Accountability”
“Accountability”
Blessings folk!
A recap of what we have seen so far related to “giving”…
- give yourself
- by the grace of God
- in abundance of joy
- overflowing in generosity
- according to our means
- beyond our means
- of our own accord
- in support of fellow believers/saints
- complete it
- excel
- it is an act of grace…grace from the Lord
- as the Lord leads
- readily
- with what we have, not what we do not have
- not a burden
- an ease
- supplying the need of others
- others fulfilling our need
- fairness…”as it is written”
The Spirit continues to give more insight through Paul’s writing to the Body in Corinth…
2 Co 8:16-24
But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.
For he not only accepted our appeal,
but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.
With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches
for his preaching of the gospel.
And not only that,
but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.
We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift
that is being administered by us,
for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.
And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.
As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit.
And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
Paul was sending a group of men to receive their generous offering.
Did you notice why Paul took this course of action?
“…so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.”
Paul did not want there to be any opportunity to question what was done with the offering.
Everything would “be above board”.
He exhorted them to “give proof…of your love”.
There was accountability.
There was love.
There was proof of both.
Good principles, especially in giving.
“No Lack. No Leftovers”
“No Lack. No Leftovers”
Blessings folk!
Yesterday we read…
2 Co 8:15
As it is written,
“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over,
and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
This is in relationship to “giving”.
Note, “as it is written”.
Written where?
In the Bible.
The Spirit was leading Paul to quote the Bible - the Word of God.
The Word for Paul and the folk receiving the letter was what we call the Old Testament.
That was the Word to them.
Sorta begs a question does it not?
Why does the majority of the the current Body of Christ basically ignore the Old Testament?
I’ve actually heard preachers/teachers proudly proclaim their lack of knowledge, much less understanding, of the Old Testament.
This is a travesty.
If we do not know the Old Testament, we will be handicapped in understanding the New.
This verse references Exodus 16:18.
Exodus 16 is about how the Lord would provide for His children through manna - the bread of heaven.
Detailed instructions are given as to when, how, etc. they were to procure the manna.
The bottom-line for our purposes here is that the Lord will provide.
He will provide exactly what is needed for all.
The Lord provides what you need.
The Lord provides what you should give.
Trust Him.
“Ease. Burden.”
“Ease. Burden.”
Blessings folk!
How is the Body of Christ to function together?
How do we “give”?
What is to be “given”?
Who determines?
Who decides?
What is correct?
What is incorrect?
A couple of things.
For the most part, set aside “what you think”.
Set aside “what I have always been taught”.
Then, search the Word of God.
If “what you thought/taught” aligns with the Word - wonderful!
If not, make the adjustments.
Do as the Word says.
Now, read the next portion of the Scripture.
Be forewarned, some will be offended.
Some will attempt to super-impose a man-made political agenda upon the Word.
Do not do that.
Simply let the Word speak.
2 Co 8:12-15
For if the readiness is there,
it is acceptable according to what a person has,
not according to what he does not have.
For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened,
but that as a matter of fairness
your abundance at the present time should supply their need,
so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
As it is written,
“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over,
and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
We have seen that we are to give according to what we have, not what we do not have.
If you do not have money, then you can not give money.
If you do not have wisdom, then do not attempt to give wisdom.
Etc.
Did you see how the Spirit addressed an issue that is often presented?
Ease.
Burden.
The Lord does not want us to give as a burden, especially to provide ease for others.
The Lord wants us to meet “need”, not “greed”.
Did you see how this works?
If you have abundance at this present time, then supply the need of those in need.
What is abundance?
We will see more later, but for now, if you have two shirts and someone needs a shirt…you give the extra shirt.
Likewise, someone will provide for you in your time of need.
Why?
That there may be fairness.
“Fairness”…now there is word that has been distorted and misappropriated.
Did you note the “as it is written…”?
Sound familiar?
Wait until you see…
“According To What A Person Has”
“According To What A Person Has”
Blessings folk!
Remembering what we have already seen in 2 Corinthians 8:1-8, read the following.
How should we “give”?
2 Co 8:9-12
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich,
yet for your sake he became poor,
so that you by his poverty might become rich.
And in this matter I give my judgment:
this benefits you,
who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.
So now finish doing it as well,
so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched
by your completing it out of what you have.
For if the readiness is there,
it is acceptable according to what a person has,
not according to what he does not have.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the model and example of giving.
He gave Himself.
He set aside His “riches” and became “poor” for man.
In this “poverty” we might become rich.
The ultimate of “riches” is found “in Christ”.
Paul then offers his judgment in the matter of their giving.
It benefits them.
They had determined a year before to help the saints.
Paul now exhorted them to follow through to completion.
They had readily begun.
May they now readily complete.
That is a word for us!
Paul then acknowledges that there is readiness among some who have little to offer.
Our giving is in what we have, not what we do not have.
Fret not that you may not have “as much” to give as others.
Simply give as the Lord leads.
Begin readily.
Complete readily.
“Excel”
“Excel”
Blessings folk!
As we have seen previously, “giving” begins with giving yourself to the Lord.
Read the passage again…remember, repetition is at the heart of learning.
2 Co 8:1-7
We want you to know, brothers,
about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify,
and beyond their means, of their own accord,
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
and this, not as we expected,
but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started,
so he should complete among you this act of grace.
But as you excel in everything
—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you
—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
Paul urged Titus to “complete among you this act of grace.”
Paul exhorted them…the Corinthian church… to follow-through in the act of grace - giving to the needs of the saints.
The Macedonians were a good example.
Now, they needed to help.
Paul acknowledged that they were excelling in many things…
- in faith
- in speech
- in knowledge
- in all earnestness
- in love for OneAnother
(This is all really interesting considering the things that Paul addressed in his communication with the Corinthian church!)
Now, Paul wants them to excel in the act of grace of giving.
So should we.
What have we learned about “giving”?
- give yourself
- by the grace of God
- in abundance of joy
- overflowing in generosity
- according to our means
- beyond our means
- of our own accord
- in support of fellow believers/saints
- complete it
- excel
- it is an act of grace…grace from the Lord.
Is this how your give?
Or…
Do you give in response to man-made mandated manipulation of the Word?
“Give Yourself…”
“Give Yourself…”
Blessings folk!!
We continue to see how we are “give” as Believers.
Yes. I put the “give” in quotes.
So many misunderstandings related to the word.
Assume nothing.
Allow the Word of the Lord to teach us.
Yesterday we saw…
This is how we are to give…
- by the grace of God
- in abundance of joy
- overflowing in generosity
- according to our means
- beyond our means
- of our own accord
- in support of fellow believers/saints
Read the Word again…
2 Co 8:1-7
We want you to know, brothers,
about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify,
and beyond their means, of their own accord,
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
and this, not as we expected,
but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started,
so he should complete among you this act of grace.
But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
Paul was surprised by the giving and generosity of the Macedonia churches.
He did not expect it.
They were severely afflicted because of their faith.
They lived in extreme poverty.
Yet, they gave with overflowing generosity.
Paul knew why.
Look closely.
They gave themselves to the Lord.
This is the first thing that must be done.
We must give ourselves unto the Lord.
Then, by the will of God, they gave themselves to Paul and entourage.
If we do not give ourselves to the Lord, then all the great “giving” we might do will be for naught.
Give yourself.
Then do as the Lord reveals.
Such is the foundation of true giving.
“Give Through the Grace of God”
“Give Through the Grace of God”
Blessings folk!
Read the following.
Read closely.
What do you learn about “giving”?
2 Co 8:1-7
We want you to know, brothers,
about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify,
and beyond their means, of their own accord,
begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
and this, not as we expected,
but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started,
so he should complete among you this act of grace.
But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
Some backdrop.
Paul was gathering a collection of support for the saints in Jerusalem - believers in Jerusalem.
They were being persecuted.
A Jew who became a Believer would often lose their job…their business…their family…their culture.
Therefore, Believers outside of Jerusalem were helping.
Note what Paul says in the first two verses.
God’s grace was being given to the “churches of Macedonia” - Gentile land.
What was their “condition”?
They were being afflicted - severely.
They had an abundance of joy in the midst of the affliction.
They were poor - extreme poverty.
Yet, in their extreme poverty, they were overflowing “in a wealth of generosity”.
Their generosity poured forth.
They gave according to their means.
They gave beyond their means.
They gave of their own accord - not by coercion nor manipulation.
They begged to be able to help the saints.
This is how we are to give…
- by the grace of God
- in abundance of joy
- overflowing in generosity
- according to our means
- beyond our means
- of our own accord
- in support of fellow believers/saints
…to be continued…
“Give”
“Give”
Blessings folk!
’Tis a new year.
’Tis a blessing.
Have you given thanks to the Lord?
Thanks for the past.
Not in the way and manner of the world, but in true thanks.
Thanks for the future.
Are you trusting the Lord for the days ahead?
Let me take a momentary break from our journey through Proverbs.
Share something that has been on my mind.
All of us have likely been receiving mail, email, voice mail, etc. for “end of the year solicitations”.
Nothing wrong with that.
But, how shall we as True Believers “give”?
We will look at this a little.
Overall know this.
The new covenant Body of Christ is not under the Law.
We are not commanded in the Word of God to “tithe”.
“Tithe” is simply a term of demarcation…”a tenth”.
It is a measurement.
Israel was commanded to contribute a tithe.
As matter of fact, they had three tithes.
Two were given each year.
One was given every three years.
All were for the support of the theocracy of Israel.
(In modern parlance, “their effective tax rate was 23%&rdquo
.We are not under such.
How then should we give?
We will see.
For now, know that we are to give…
- joyously
- hilariously
- as each has determined in their heart
- with abandon
- proportionally
- regularly
- as the Lord leads
- without burden
- in all things…not just limited to materiel
- in support of those that teach and lead
- to those from who you receive (if your receive blessing, give blessing)
There is more, as we shall see.
For today, seek the Lord.
Ask Him how He wants you “to give”.
Ask Him where He wants you “to give”.
He will guide.
Then, walk in obedience.
Allow the Lord to reveal His truth to you.
Set aside the traditions of man. (Generally speaking, we behave as if “we don’t give through the local ‘church’, then it doesn’t count in the eyes of God”. Totally wrong.)
Pick up the liberty, freedom and power of the Lord.
Give as He leads.