2 Corinthians 9:1-15

"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
as it is written, “HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.”Now 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 everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

We've heard the term "tithes and offerings"...

Our "tithe" (tenth) is the portion of our resources that God expects us to contribute toward the ongoing expenses of the congregation. Our "offering" is any additional amount beyond that tithe which  we contribute toward the welfare of those in need.

Paul has decided to send Titus to the Corinthian Church to collect a benevolent offering. In so doing, he reminds the church of important principles in giving.
1. Give generously
2. Give thoughtfully
2. Give cheerfully

Generosity is an important principle because in the previous chapter we were reminded not to give more than we have. So, we need to be thoughtful regarding how much we can contribute. This is more than our "tithe" but less that whatever would put us into debt. Moreover, when we are asked for our offering, we are not supposed to deduct that amount from our tithe.

Which means, the offering amount over which we are deliberating is the amount in excess of our expected tithes. Each Christian is challenged to be thoughtful about this and it makes sense. After all, for most of us, we work a "tithe" into our budget so anything beyond that eats into our ability to pay bills. So...what might we do without?

Starbucks?

Of course it is counterintuitive that we would grumble over the loss of Starbucks this month when the sacrifice is intended help someone who cannot even afford Folgers. Therefore, when we give up our own coffee we do it cheerfully because we are, in essence, "paying it forward".

Finally, Paul reminds us the "hole in our budget" created by our generosity will not remain. The God we serve will replace that deficit and often increase it. This got me thinking...When we watch God replace the offering we contributed it's a very instructive thing. When we offer $100 to support a soup kitchen and we observe God returning (in some form) an amount worth $125, the excess is not for us. This is God demonstrating He wants us to increase our generosity by $25.

Now the fun begins. We "up the ante" and see what God does next. If He returns even more, we increase it again. I'm curious...how much can we get God to give?

Live boldly out there today...