Tag Archives: Christianity

2 Corinthians 9- God Will Provide

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Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;  2 Corinthians 9:10-12

For the past several devotionals, we have been talking about how we need to be obedient to Christ to be a “Cheerful giver” , meaning not just money, but our time, talent and resources. And we talked about how everything we give to the Church is to invest into Gods eternal Kingdom. Now the things is, everything we are giving to God has already been given to us by God. Therefor everything we own, belongs to God, and by us giving it back to God is just obedience to him

When we understand this concept, we understand that giving to God should not be a big deal. The mentality that,” I earned this therefore I should keep it” is a spiritual immaturity that you don’t understand. Christ is your Lord and God is completely sovereign over all things. The only reason you have that job or business is because of God, the only reason you have that home or car, is because of God. Everything we have has been given by God

Lets see what Paul says here “Now He (God) that ministers the seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown” The seed you are sowing for the Kingdom was given to you by God, the sower of your Harvest is God, everything begins and ends with God. 

Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:13-15

Notice what Paul says here “They glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ” How are we giving glory to God? By giving money? No by our subjection to Jesus Christ, our obedience to God by the Holy Spirit to Jesus Christ!

What is our response “Thanks be unto God for His (Gods) unspeakable gift” What is the gift God has given us? Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thanks be to God! Amen!

2 Corinthians 9- Cheerful Giver

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But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

There are alot of things of God that have been abused by wolves since the beginning of time. Even though those things are abused doesn’t mean they are not good or necessary. Let me give you an example, The Holy Spirit has been abused by many since the day of Pentecost, many deceivers claiming to have performed miracles or spoken in a unknown language, but does that mean the Holy Spirit has ceased to work anymore? No, we go from one extreme to the other, we throw out the baby with the bath water.

The Holy Spirit is still alive working today, otherwise none of us would even be saved. Regardless of what anyone says or does regarding the Holy Spirit, doesn’t change who the Holy Spirit is, God within us. This goes with money, over the centuries many have deceived the Church into giving them money and there has been many false “Churches” that has deceived people into giving them money, does that mean we as Born Again Christians shouldn’t be “Cheerful givers”?

The Apostle Paul says “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly” and “He who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully” Now to the skeptic this sounds like a page right out of the prosperity gospel, however you need to understand everything belongs to The Lord. When someone steals from the Church or a Christian, they are actually stealing from God. Those people will need to give an account for their actions on judgment day before Christ. So while its easy for us to get very concerned about this, I would just let the boss handle it, Jesus Christ

When it comes to sowing and reaping for the Kingdom, here is how I approach it. Everything you do in life, whether it is your time or money, what are you investing it into? For example if I have 2 hours available today, I can invest that time into the Kingdom by passing out gospel tracts and telling people about Jesus or volunteering at a local food bank, or you can spend that 2 hours into a worldly pleasure and get no investment back into the Kingdom of God. 

We as Christians need to be Kingdom minded, everything we do should not only be for the glory of God but also thinking how can I build and invest into Gods Kingdom. This is why Paul says “God loves a Cheerful Giver” , God doesn’t need any money, He created the Heavens and The Earth, no God wants us investing our time into serving Christs Kingdom. That’s why God loves a Cheerful giver, because your heart is right with God, you have a new regenerated heart by the Holy Spirit, and everything you do is all for the Kingdom of God, Amen!

2 Corinthians 9- Walk The Walk

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For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. 2 Corinthians 9:1-5

As we notice in the past couple Chapters, Paul spent alot of time dealing with managing money and accountability. In Paul’s instructions here it’s no different, however Paul is teaching the Church, if you are going to talk the talk, then you need to walk the walk. Meaning if we say we are going to do something, then we need to follow up and do it! Otherwise, we just look like liars and hypocrites. The Church promised to send a generous donation to the other Churches, and Paul was making sure they actually followed through

The reality is, money has become even more than a idol for most people, it has become their god. Most people base their entire lives around money, as if it can save your soul from Hell. Is money important? Well of course, we need to support our families and our ourselves, but do most people use this excuse to build the foundation of their lives upon money? I think yes, instead of building their lives upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, our chief cornerstone.

The Apostle Paul here is bragging about the Church and their eagerness for “Cheerful giving”  as Paul says “ I boast of you to them of Macedonian, that Achaia was ready a year ago” Paul is bragging about this Churches willingness and ability to financially support other Churches.  Being a Cheerful giver is not just obedience to Jesus Christ, but it also demonstrates the authenticity of faith to other believers. 

For example, there are many “mega-Churches” we see throughout America, they like to flash their large buildings and assets, however wouldn’t it be more impressive if these mega-Churches gave some of their money to the smaller Churches that are struggling to pay their mortgage? However we don’t see this in today’s Christianity, because instead of us all being the Body of Christ, we are divided , competing against each other like were in business, its a very carnal minded Christianity

Notice what Paul warns the Church “that, as I said, you may be ready; 4lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this”

Actions speak louder than words, its one thing for a Church to brag they are a “Cheerful giver” but its another thing to actually do it. And when the Church brags and fails to follow up, it loses the credibility of the Church. So Paul is preparing the hearts of the Church, Be ready to give because you promised you would!

As Jesus said “Let your Yes be Yes and your No be No” (Matthew 5:37) When the Church promises something, let their word be true because Christ is our Lord!  Be obedient to Christ in all things, including finances, because Jesus Christ is our Lord and Head of the Church, Amen!

2 Corinthians 8- All Eyes on Us

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Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. 2 Corinthians 8:20-24

As we continue to look at what Paul teaches us about being the Church, I think we can learn another valuable reason to remain in a local Church, its called accountability. One of the many reasons Christians need each other is to keep us all on the narrow path. When your alone, its easy to stray off the path, get tempted into sin, and then try to hide the sin from others. However as Paul is teaching the Church here “The eyes of The Lord are everywhere” (Proverbs 15:3)

Let’s see what Paul is saying here to the Church “Avoiding this, that noone should blame us in this abundance, which is administered by us, providing for honest things” Again this goes back to accountability. The Church is being tasked to handle large amounts of money which are going to support other Churches, including themselves. Often whenever there is large amounts of money, there is alot of temptation by many people to embezil it, anyone remember Judas? 

Now while not everyone is tempted with money, often many people are and can’t control themselves. Paul wants to make sure the Church is handling the money openly and honestly, so there is no question about their integrity. Often if you want to know if a group is a cult or false religion, all you have to do is follow the money trial. 

Notice what Paul says next “not only in the sight of The Lord, but also in the sight of men” God is watching everything the Church is doing! All these false prophets and cult groups that think they are getting away with stuff, are just storing up wrath of God for themselves, God will not be mocked! But as the Church , not only are the eyes of Jesus on us, but the eyes of the brethren are on us also! There is accountability with one another, as scripture tells us, if you see someone in your Church continually living in sin, you need to address it with them (Matthew 18:15, 1 John 5:16-17)

Paul ends by saying “Therefor show to them, and to the Churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf” One way we know if someone is a true Christian is by the testimony of other Christians that we trust and know. Sometimes you meet a new Christian, and your just not sure if they are a true convert, and you consult with other Christians who you trust and can give you an honest opinion. This is part of the Church structure, the accountability, the leadership with the Body of Christ. 

Regardless of your thoughts on the Church, Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, that is his bride and the gates of hell will never prevail against it. Nobody will ever be able to remove Christ Church because Christ eyes are on his Church and because you are the Church, Christs eyes are on you! Walk worthy of your calling by the Holy Spirit, Amen!

2 Corinthians 8- We Are The Church

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But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: 2 Corinthians 8:16-19

Again we see the Apostle Paul referring to Titus for his service and dedication to the Church. Now we hear the name the Apostle Paul alot, he wrote over half the New Testament, he was a vessel for Jesus Christ (Acts 9:15) However Paul was just one part of the Body of Christ, just as Titus is another part, and you are another part. It’s important to understand the “Church concept” that nobody does anything by themselves, we are all the Body of Christ and all Glory goes to God

We see Paul mentioning brother Titus to the Church “Thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you” Paul didn’t accomplish anything on his own accord, just as we don’t accomplish anything on our own accord. We need to reply upon each other as the body of Christ, and we need to rely upon the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. When you understand this is a group effort, then you understand the reason for the Church. We are all one in Jesus Christ our Lord!

Paul mentions another individual who is not even name “We have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the Churches” People who are driven by the flesh would want their name in lights, however those who are driven by the Holy Spirit, are looking to give God glory and not themselves. This brother was obviously highly respected by the Churches, yet it didn’t matter what his name was, because he was a servant of Christ!

We as Christians, as part of the Body of Christ, can learn from this. Do we need credit or glory for everything we do at Church? Everything we do is for the Glory of God and our Lord knows everything you have done. We don’t need the credit from men, we just need to be faithful in our calling to Love God and Love our Neighbor

Another point to make is , are you active in your local Church? The idea of being a “lone wolf” is not Biblical. How can you be part of the body of Christ, when you reject the rest of the body? None of the work done by the Church was possible without the group effort of the Church. If you want to know why you should belong to a local Church, its because you can’t fulfill your calling unless you are part of a Church, because you are the Church!

Working to build the Kingdom of God is an amazing calling and an overwhelming thought. Everything you do for God is for eternal purposes, one day we can look back with our fellow brothers and sisters and see what we have labored for , filled with the Holy Spirit and obedient to our Lord , Amen!

2 Corinthians 8- The Church

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For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

What is the Church? Sounds like a simple question , but many might come up with different answers , the Greek word its usually translated from is “Ekklessia” which means called out assembly, in short the Church is the people, the Born Again believers in Christ

The pandemic I believe taught us alot about what the real Church is, as many buildings were closed, the Church still lived on. The Church is not a building, its the body of Christ, its you and me, our sisters and brothers in Christ. Wherever you are , there is the Church! With that said, we should physically gather whenever its possible, especially on The Lords Day!

So why belong to a Church? Because we are a family of God, we are all  brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, therefor we need to take care of one another as a family. That’s what the Apostle Paul is teaching the Church here “For I dont mean the others should be eased and you should be burdened, but by an equality” Paul is teaching the Churches to take care of one another, when one is in need the other will help them. Then when that Church is in need, then the other Church will help them

This is how a family operates, right? We all go through seasons of good and bad times, when we are going through a bad season, we need our family to help us out. And this doesn’t just mean financially, we need to help each other out spiritually and physically. Maybe somebody just needs someone to talk to or to just give them a ride somewhere, the body of Christ should be there for one another like a family

It’s interesting, Paul quotes the book of Exodus here “He who gathered much had nothing left over and he who gathered little had no lack” (Exodus 16:18) The Church who has an overabundance should share with the Church who is lacking. In the Kingdom of God, nobody is lacking because everyone takes care of one another! This should be the model of the Church, a family in Jesus Christ, Amen!

2 Corinthians 8- Count The Cost

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And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 2 Corinthians 8:10-12

Jesus tells us to “Count the Cost” of becoming a Christian. Jesus said “Which of you , wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if you have the resources to complete it” (Luke 14:28) Christ is not given us home improvement advice, he’s speaking metaphorically to our spiritual lives. If your going to be a disciple of Christ, first you must consider the cost of being a disciple of Christ, because it will cost you everything!

Now this ties into what Paul is teaching here , he’s instructing the Church to finish what they have started. This goes back to “Counting the Cost” of being a Christian. When you start a ministry or serve The Lord , you can’t bail half way through your work. I mean technically you can quit on God, but what does that say about you? What does it say about your faith in Christ? What does it say about all the work you already have done for The Lord?

When we accept a calling by God, we need to count the cost of what its going to take to complete it. And some might say, well its going to take forever to complete it, well there you go, its going to cost you your entire life, are you ready for this? Is your family prepared for this? Approaching ministry like project management is not always a bad idea, examine everything take make sure you are spiritually and physically ready to commit to your calling

Look at what Paul is saying to the Church here “Let me give you advice, it is to your advantage not only  to do what you have been doing, but now you must also complete the doing of it” Paul is saying “You guys are doing great work for The Lord, but its equally important that you finish your work for The Lord”

Did you ever hear the expression “Your only as good as your last” We see this in sports and careers, people have great success, however when their career comes to an end, people remember that one last time, that last failure, it can tarnish an entire career. There is no retirement age in the Kingdom of God, we need to keep working as if today is our first day on the job! Keep the fire burning for The Lord!

Paul also says “For if first there is a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not one does not have”  This reminds me of when Jesus fed the great multitude (Matthew 14) It’s easy for us to focus on what we don’t have to complete Gods calling in our life, but Christ wants us to give him what we do have! 

Count the cost, give your life to Jesus Christ and God will supply all your needs to complete the mission Amen! 

2 Corinthians 8- Rich in Christ?

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For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

I heard many people twist this verse “He was rich, yet for your sakes became poor” many false teachers will use this verse to promote or justify their prosperity gospel. As we know, Jesus didn’t own anything during this Earthly ministry as Jesus said “The Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20) Christ literally relied on God the Father for everything during his Earthly ministry to provide for him

So what does Paul mean by this statement “He was rich, yet for your sakes became poor” Well if you understand who Jesus Christ is, it makes perfect sense. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh (Isaiah 9:6, John 1:14) the Son of God, part of the Triune God, Christ is the eternal Creator of the world. So how did Jesus become poor? 

The Apostle Paul’s teaching in Philippians 2 gives us a deeper understanding, 

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:6-8

Jesus, who is God, lowered himself below the angels, to become a man, to die for the sins of His creation (Hebrews 2:7) Think about that, God becoming a human to save us from the wages of our sins. How much do you think God loves us? Well He demonstrated it on the cross (Romans 5:8) if there is any question whether God loves you or not, look at the cross, look at what Christ has done for you!

Through his (Christ) poverty (death on the cross), we might be rich (justified). The only reason we can be justified and inherit eternal life, it because Christ layed down his life for us on the cross, Christ became spiritually poor, and made us spiritually rich, by the gift of the Holy Spirit 

Let’s just meditate on this one verse today and understand what God has done for you, Christ humbled himself and became obedient to the death on the cross, for your sins! For my sins, for our sins, our sins put the Son of God on the cross! But the love God bestowed to us, that he was willing to become poor in spirit to deliver us from the wrath of our sins. 

When you understand , you understand why nothing else in this world matter except the gift of grace given to us by God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, Amen!

2 Corinthians 8- Love God and Neighbor

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And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 2 Corinthians 8:5-8

When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus replied “Love The Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, this is the greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38) Then Jesus said “The second commandment is to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39) To put simply Love God and People, of course God should always come first before people

This is a foundation for the entire Ten Commandments, every command hinges on Love God or Love Neighbor. And this should be the foundation for our Church, our ministry, our families, everything we do should be centered around this. This is a radical shift from the Mosaic Covenant, “An Eye for a Eye and Tooth for a Tooth” (Exodus 21:24) Jesus revealed further understanding as we are now to “turn the other cheek”, and even “love our enemies” in the New Covenant (Matthew 5) This takes “Loving our Neighbor” to a new level

Now compare this with what Paul is revealing to us in these scriptures “But first gave their own selves to The Lord” We first see the demonstration of Love God by the Church, their first priority is they dedicated their lives to The Lord. This should be the first step in our walk with Christ, we start by committing our lives to Christ, we were bought with a price by the blood of Jesus Christ ( 1 Cor. 6:20)

Then notice what the Church did according to Paul “And unto us (Church) by the will of God” So first the Church dedicated their lives to Christ, they Love God, and then being obedient to Christ, they loved others, this should be the model for every Church to follow

Then we see the fruits of the Holy Spirit working in the Church, the Apostle Paul says “Therefor you abound in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in diligence, in your love to us” These are fruits produced by the Church, evidence of the Holy Spirit , if a Christian or Church is not producing any fruit, is there any evidence of the Holy Spirit? (Matthew 7)

Notice how Pauls end it here “I’m not speaking by commandment” Paul didn’t have to command the Church to do these things, it’s the Holy Spirit working in them, it’s evidence of fruit. “Prove the sincerity of your love” These were authentic Born Again Christians, why? Because their fruit demonstrates that they truly Love God and Love their Neighbor in Jesus name Amen!

2 Corinthians 8- God Will Provide

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Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

One thing as Christians we always need to remember is “God will provide” whether its in our Church, or whether it’s in our family, if it’s God’s will, He will provide! Think back to Jesus feeding the 5,000 with 5 loaves and two fish (Matthew 14) What happened there? God provided for the multitude even when it seemed like there was no way. If you are ordained by God, and if you are in the will of God, you can be assured God will provide!

Look at our scripture readings today, Paul is talking about the Churches of Macedonia, even though they were financially poor from a worldly perspective, they still provided for Paul and his ministry, how is this possible? Again going back to the story of 5 loaves and 2 fish, if its God’s will ordained, God will provide for it!  

Notice the state of these Churches also “that in a great trial of affliction and their deep poverty” These were not “mega-Churches” that had large air conditioned buildings with millions in the bank, these were persecuted Churches that barely had enough money to survive. Yet God used these Churches to provide for others! Why? To bring Glory to God! 

If a mega-Church financially provided for a ministry , would that be impressive? No, not really, since they have private jets and big bank accounts, this would be expected, however a Church that is financially poor still provides for other brothers and sisters in Christ, this is impressive! People look at this and wonder “how is this happening” and it points right back to the sovereignty of God

Paul says here “I bear record, you and beyond their power they were willing of themselves” The Apostle Paul is recognizing their generosity and obedience to God. And God will use this for people to ask “How is this possible, How is this Church doing this”? And it goes back to their faith in Jesus Christ, God will provide Amen!