God Loves A Cheerful Giver

– Second Corinthians Nine –

 

   Paul did not feel that the church at Corinth really needed all the teaching he was giving them about giving. He was well aware of the promise that they had already made concerning a generous contribution to be given. Paul had boasted to the churches in Macedonia about how Corinth planned to give. He did not want his having boasted so much about these people to have been in vain! Therefore he sent Titus and the other brothers to help collect their bounty. Paul felt that they should be ashamed if they had pledged to do something and then did not do it.

 

   The bounty or blessing from Corinth would bless many in Jerusalem. In our church giving we can only give to the church of our Lord. If you give your money to any other church, you will be supporting LIES and your worship would be in VAIN! When you give to the cause of Christ you should give with a spirit of gladness about being able to share what you have. When you consider the amount that you will give count the number of ways that God can bless you and give accordingly.

 

   Sufficiency is a key word when it comes to giving. God has blessed us with sufficient for our needs and to share with others. We should give accordingly. Paul's statements concerning giving sound very much like Psalm 112:9.  "He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour." God does give "seed to the sower, and bread to the eater." (Isaiah 55:10) The sower is the one that gives of whatever he has to help other people. God promised to provide (1) Bread for your food, (2) He will multiply your seed sown, and (3) He will increase the fruits of your righteousness. God often increases out wealth so that we can go out and meet the needs of people even more.  

 

   Think of all the good that would be done if the church at Corinth gave the generous offering they had promised: (1) Needs of the Jerusalem church would be supplied, (2) Thanksgivings would go up to God in many places, (3) The Corinthians would have supplied proof of their love, and (4) The Christians at Jerusalem would begin to pray for the church at Corinth as soon as they heard from them. Thankfulness for God's unspeakable gift of Jesus and His gospel was all the motivation that was needed to insure that the proper gift would be given by the Corinthians.

 

   Be prepared to keep your word – 2 Corinthians 9:1-4: Paul felt that it was really unnecessary, because of the present state of mind of these brethren, to write to them about the money they planned to give. He knew that their hearts were set on doing what was right before God. He had all confidence that they would give to help God's people in Judea that were in need. They had been ready to give for a year and Paul had boasted about them. Their zeal had stirred up many others to give. Paul said, “Achaia was ready a year ago." Achaia is another name for Greece where Corinth was located.

 

   Paul sent Titus and the two other brothers on ahead to see that the contribution was waiting when he and the brethren from Macedoina reached there. He did not want his boasting about them to be in vain. It should not be that way, but it is easy to forget about what we have promised to do. If they failed to have their gifts ready Paul would be embarrassed because he had boasted so much about them and they would be embarrassed even more for failing to keep their promise.

 

   Sow bountifully and reap also bountifully – 2 Corinthians 9:5-7: God’s desire for our giving is that it be both willing and bountiful. Christians should give because they want to, and not because they feel forced to give. Giving should show love and never show the giver to be covetous. Remember this, A few seeds sown will make only a small harvest, but a lot of seeds sown make a big harvest. Paul; said, "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."  The harvest from our giving is (1) the good that is done, (2) God is glorified, and (3) our love is proven.

 

   Each person must make up his own mind about how much to give. You cannot feel sorry that you must give. Neither should you give reluctantly or under compulsion. God loves people that love to give. God loves a cheerful giver. A person must meditate on what he will give and give generously and with a cheerful heart. Both the amount and the attitude are important in our giving. After a person has decided the amount that he should give, it should not be painful to him when he gives. It must be done with a cheerful heart.

 

   God will multiply the seed you sow – 2 Corinthians 9:8-12: Give as God has prospered you with a cheerful spirit. When you do give generously God will bless you with everything you need. You will always have enough to do good things to bless others. God will make His grace abound in your life as you bless others. God freely gives to the poor, "His righteousness endures forever." Put God first and He will provide every necessity for you. 'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) The faithful giver will receive food and also seed for sowing. God will increase your harvest so that you can give even more to those in need.

 

   The Christian that practices liber­ality will be blessed in every way. He will be able to keep on being generous. Paul also knew that many people would thank God when the generous gift was delivered to those famine stricken brethren. What they were doing was an act that would cause much thanksgiving to God from many.

 

   The experiment of this ministration – 2 Corinthians 9:13-15: The way the Corinthians had conducted themselves in the matter of giving would be an experiment that would prove effective. They believed in Christ and obeyed His will by sharing generously with God's people and with everyone else. Generous giving would be a carrying out of the profession of the gospel of Christ. This contribution would bless Christians and non Christians alike. Giving God glory was the main purpose of this experiment.

 

   The disciples in Judea prayed for the Corinthians and had a deep interest in them. God had used these brethren to bless Judea and they were ever so grateful. "Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!" This inexpressible or unspeakable gift is the gospel of the Son of God. The gospel of Christ and what it does in the lives of people can never be fully described. 

 

            Will you appreciate Jesus enough that you will receive Him as your Lord and Savior NOW? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (1 Peter 3:21). After your baptism will you follow Jesus faithfully so that He can lead you home to heaven? (Revelation 2:10)

 

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Stabler Hospital: Jean Hayes and Pat Newton. In Need Of Prayers: Jimmy Allen, Charles Brown (uncle of Colby Boutwell), Emily Cain, Neomia Collins, Billy Wayne Conway, Tom Conway, Bobby Fullington, Roy Goodwin, Judy Green, Evan Hartsell, Christopher Hart, Dianne Hoffman, Mary Lawrence, Abby Lee, Jo Ann Moorer, Curtis Newton, Elizabeth Perdue, Mary Powell, Austin Shows, Gladys Warren, Richard Watts, Madison Grace Whetstone, and Mary Williams. Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, James Alford, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Wallace Murry, and Myrtle Perdue. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, Mae Beverly, and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, and Doris Taylor.

 

2. Requesting Our Prayers: Brett Barr responded to our Lord’s invitation. Please remember him in your personal, private prayers.

 

3. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to: (a) Jerry Sanders and his family in the death of his sister, Sue Ray and his brother-in-law, John Blackeeby, and (b) the family of Gene Skipper.  

 

4. Please Pray For: Pray for Paul Findley and Ben Newton as they serve in Iraq. Please begin now praying for Jason Godwin and Dennis Phillips Jr. as they will be going to Iraq soon.

 

5. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: May 25^th Agnes Hammonds, May 26^th Lisa Garlock, May 28^th Tyler Ray, May 29^th Tiffany Till, and May 30^th Lori Woodard

 

6. Graduation Party: Our graduates, Kayla & Kristi Garlock, Rebekah Stallings, and Mitch Bozeman will be honor after services on Sunday night, June 1^st in the multipurpose room.

 

7. Thursday Class Changed At Crowne: Our class that was scheduled for May 15^th at Crowne Health Care has been changed to May 29^th at 10:00 a.m. See you there at that time.

 

8. Invitation: The Board of Regents, Administration, and Faculty of Amridge University Montgomery, Alabama join President and Mrs. Rex A Turner, Jr. in requesting the honor of your presence at the Davis Theater for the Performing Arts 251 Montgomery Street, Montgomery, Alabama for the Commencement Exercise Saturday May 31, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

 

9. Thank You: Dear Church Family, My heartfelt thanks to each of you, for the prayers, calls, and cards in sharing the grief of the death of my brother, Ray. Thanks to the church for the beautiful plant in remembrance of him. To Charles who did the service with warmth and love to my family, and those who made the trip with him. I love you and thank you for being there for me. Thank you again. In Christian Love, Eleanor Stabler

 

10. Merger: As of May 4, 2008 the Elba Church of Christ and the Mulberry Heights Church of Christ merged and became one family. We are now together and we are known as the Elba Church of Christ. Please help us thank God for this great step in the work of our Lord. Pray for our work in Elba, our efforts worldwide and especially for our deaf ministry. Philip Box

 

11. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) June 1^st–4^th – Gospel Meeting – Sasser Church of Christ – Speaker Garland Elkins – Time Bible Study 10 a.m., Worship 11 a.m., Singing 1:30 p.m. and Worship 2 p.m. and weeknights 7:30, (b) June 8^th–11^th – Gospel Meeting – Ramer Church of Christ – Time Sunday Bible Study 10 a.m., Worship 11 a.m., Singing 2:30 p.m. and Worship 4 p.m. and weeknights 7:30 – see bulletin board for speakers, (c) June 8^th–12^th – Gospel Meeting – Wald Church of Christ – Billy Lambert – Sunday Bible Class 10 a.m., Worship 11 a.m. and each evening 7:30 (d) June 15^th–18^th – Gospel Meeting – Gateway Church of Christ – Byron Benson – Time Bible Study 9:30 a.m., Worship 10:30 a.m. and each evening 7:30 p.m., (d)  June 22^nd–26^th – Vacation Bible School – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Time 6:30-8:30 p.m., (e) July 6^th-11^th – Backwoods Christian Camp – Please participate! (f) September 14^th – Ladies Day – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Speaker Sheila Butt – Theme Seeking Spiritual Beauty. 

 

Who Stands With You?

 

   I guess we’ve all felt very alone at some time or other in our lives. I remember when my older brother tricked me into getting in our big garbage can. He put the lid on top…and he sat on the lid. I felt so alone for that hour (Ok, maybe a minute, but it felt like an hour). Although some of the most heralded accomplishments were done by individual people, it’s important to realize that there are others who stand with us in our lives!

 

   So many times when we feel utterly and completely alone…it is only because we choose not to let the people in our lives care for us.  Friends are a blessing from God! (James 1:17).  True friends are those whom you can always count on, and if you possess true friends you are blessed indeed. Here are some ways to identify your true friends: 1) True friends hurt when you hurt. 2) They rejoice when you rejoice. 3) They will tell you the truth in love even when it is difficult to tell (Proverbs 27:17).

 

   Christians have a divinely ordained, built in support group. From the beginning days of the church, Christians shared a special “fellowship” with each other (Acts 2:42). John named “fellowship” as one of the rewards when we “walk in the light as He is in the light” (I John 1:7). Incidentally, the only other gift mentioned in that passage is the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ.  Fellowship is a great gift.

 

   The last group of people that I want to tell you about today is a little different. These aren’t people that we can call, email, or go visit. But they are absolutely worthy of being considered helpers and friends who stand with us as we walk with God. Some of the great gifts contained in the Bible are true stories about great, godly men and women who stand with us. These brethren withstood great trials and temptations. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

- - - - Darrell Powell

 

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)