Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
I remember squirming in my seat most of my life when a prolonged appeal to giving was exercised. It really didn’t matter what the money was being gathered to do, it always made me uncomfortable when church leaders began a plea to giving with an illustration or plea that was sure to make a play on the emotions of those within the pews.
As followers of Jesus, prolonged pleas and guilt trips should not be necessary.
If we are to follow the pattern of Jesus, it basically boils down to awareness is always followed by action, even to the point of personal sacrifice.
I love the structure and language of 2 Cor. 9:7, particularly, considering the context.
The previous verse states the obvious: sow sparingly, reap sparingly; sow bountifully, reap an abundance. At harvest time, you cannot expect an abundance if you have neglected to sow in abundance. There is some debate about the application for us, here, but one thing is clear going forward: generosity is the natural outflow of faith.
Now, make a decision and give, without reluctance. High pressure tactics and guilt trips should be unnecessary. In fact, Paul communicates clearly that he does not want to apply pressure or squeeze these folks until they squeal (see v. 5).
The movement here is awesome to me, because it is a picture of how God has always moved among us.
God gives…abundantly.
We give…generously.
God receives the glory (thanksgiving).
Read with me (my emphasis added):
8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:8-11)
Central to all of this is verse 13, “others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.” This is a supernatural enablement, birthed through the Holy Spirit who abides within us. We are walking in agreement with God, that is what confession is all about. That humble submission, followed by abounding in the good work that God has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10), results in God’s glory, rooted in that surpassing grace of God. Thanks be to God for that gift!
No guilt necessary.
Happy Wednesday!