2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9 (NKJV)

Administering the Gift

1Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;

2for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.

3Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, 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 confident boasting.

5Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.

The Cheerful Giver

6But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

9As it is written:
“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

10Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

11while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

12For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

13while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,

14and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.

15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Genesis 14:18–20

Genesis 14:18–20 (NKJV)

Abram and Melchizedek

18Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.

19And he blessed him and said:
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;

20And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
And he gave him a tithe of all.

Hebrews 7:17

Hebrews 7:17 (NKJV)

17For He testifies: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

1 Corinthians 9:13–14

1 Corinthians 9:13–14 (NKJV)

13Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?

14Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Luke 6:38

Luke 6:38 (NKJV)

38Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Scripture readings

Devotional 📖

Three things are talked about in this chapter: the importance of giving, our attitude while giving and the profit of giving.

Sowing and reaping are spiritual laws that when engaged can really profit a believer’s life. Whatever we sow, we will reap, and this is all according to the purpose set out in your heart. However, giving is not just to reap the harvest we’re believing God for, but also to supply the needs of the saints and as a sign of thanksgiving.

The ‘tithe’ is 10% of our first fruits. It’s one of three different tithes mentioned in the Old Testament and was implemented under the Levitical Priesthood, though it can be traced all the way back to Genesis 14 and the story of Abraham and High Priest Melchizidek.

Abraham (Abram at this time) had just finished fighting four kings who attacked Sodom, where Abram’s nephew Lot was. In this war, Lot was kidnapped and his goods taken. Abram delivered Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people (verse 16).

After this war, he encountered a ‘priest of the Most High’ called Melchizedek. Where this priest came from or how the priest knew the Lord, we don’t know, but he blessed Abram and in response, Abram gave Melchizidek 10% of all his goods. It was a sign of thanksgiving and honour both to Melchizedek and to God.

I get all that…but is it necessary under the New Covenant?

Jesus, our High Priest, is of this order of Melchizidek, meaning His priesthood follows this pattern. The 10% tithe is the tithe we continue to give under this priesthood to the priests for their service to the temple and the congregation. It’s consecrated to God for His church and the furtherance of the gospel.

Though similar to the Old Testament, it’s different in that it’s not an obligation, but is expected. Giving to support the work of the kingdom, giving to those in need, and giving as a sign of thanksgiving to God, is part of the good stewardship of our finances that God expects of us. It’s expected but not obligated.

We should be willing to give cheerfully. If I don’t have 10% to give financially, I can give 10% of my time to serving in His house or supporting a minister. The least we can do in response to His great gift so that we can be His firstfruits, is to honour Him by giving Him our firstfruits.

Prayer 🙏

Heavenly Father, help me to remember that money is not just to meet my needs but to further your kingdom. Give me a generous heart and help me to remember that when I can’t give money, I can always give my time. Thank you for the gift of your Son.

In Jesus name,

Amen

It’s the 21st Century, we still tithing….?

Devotional 📖

Prayer 🙏