2 Corinthians 9 – 10

Verse 9:6 opens a dialog on giving:

But I will say this to encourage your generosity: the one who plants little harvests little, and the one who plants plenty harvests plenty.

This goes way beyond talking to people about Jesus and you will see it includes giving. Read though verse 9 and you will see the promises of God blessing you if you cheerfully give. I think these are verses that hurt many people and get abused by “preachers”. We cannot go into this deeply, but would suggest Robert Morris’s The Blessed Life. It goes deep into giving and allows you to understand the heart of a giver. He has literally given it all away only to be blessed with more, that he gave away.

The key point you need to take from this is giving is not about getting, but rather blessing. We need to bless people without expectation of God blessing us, sure it’s way cool when he does, but it’s not necessary for our giving to continue. I think we need to give not till it hurts, but rather give in joy. That is what this passage says! If it brings you great joy to tithe, then tithe. If it brings you great joy to give houses away, then give houses away. If you don’t have joy giving $20 into the plate, then don’t!!

Verse 10:8 makes sure we understand our job is not to convict:

I’m not embarrassed, even if it seems to others I have gone overboard in speaking about the power the Lord has given us to edify and encourage you and not to destroy anyone who strays.

People who stray from the Lord often have targets on their backs by many in the church. They want them back and sitting in the pews. Paul is saying just keep doing what you are doing, to encourage not destroy. He does not want us on fire convicting every backslid believer, rather focus on the words “edify and encourage” so we can build up the body. If the Holy Spirit convicts, then let it do so. IT’S NOT OUR JOB!!

Verse 10:11 is critical:

 They need to understand this: whatever we say through our letters when we are away, that is exactly what we will do when we are looking you in the eye.

I have watched someone who was new to the faith have it crushed when their pastor failed them in their eyes. A pastor I know made a big deal on giving up smoking and how it was God who gave him the power to quit. It was miraculous how he went from a chain smoker to nothing. This was awesome, until he was so frustrated in life; he started back up and made up for lost time. This crushed the new followers since he had led them to Jesus and were now seeing it as folly. Do what you say and say what you do, have honor and character!