·
8:1-7: The gist of this paragraph is to give
freely and abundantly. In other words,
at our best we are not moved by obligation, nor are we limited by our comfort zone. The key is v7.
·
8:8-15: Giving must be according to need. In other words, don’t just give because you
want to connect with someone. Give where
there is a need. The key I believe is
v9. Also we should note that this is not
communism because it is not by
commandment (v8). In communism the government enforces the
rule; but we are to be bound by love.
·
8:16-24: Here the issue is to give to those who
show accountability, transparency and trustworthiness. Paul is taking an offering to be carried to
saints who are in need. But he wants the
Corinthians to know that those involved in this ministry are worthy of trust.
·
9:1-5: One of Satan’s tricks is delay.
Over time he can take the initial promptings of the Holy Spirit and rob
us of the motivation or intent to obey and give as God’s leads. We must act immediately when the issue is
obedience to the Spirit. Otherwise other
“bills” and “needs/wants” arise to dissuade us.
·
9:6-15: Duty (obligation) will do as a
motivation but free-will abundance is best and most honoring to the Lord. It results in abundance for your own needs,
abundance of thanksgiving to God, and abundance for being able to give
more.
One
thing that we believe is helpful in this matter s to remember the place of free will offerings in the Old
Testament. We tend to think of giving under the Law of Moses as
prescribed. Certainly there were certain
taxes if you will commanded in the
Law. However the great times of worship
were the times that the people gave willingly, not according to Law but
according to God’s leading. In other
words what Paul has promoting here actually has an OT basis, even though he
says absolutely nothing about the tithe. One exciting illustration is in Exodus
35:20-29. What joy there is in giving!
Jesus was right: It is more blessed to
give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
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