The Second Epistle to the Corinthians shows Paul bragging about the generosity of the Corinthians to people in Macedonia. Paul used the sacrificial gifts of the Corinthians to motivate the Macedonians and express the need to please God. These gifts helped show how faithful the people in Corinth had been and how they were open to receiving the blessings of the Lord.
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Preparing for the Giving
Some of the people from the church in Macedonia wanted to see the generosity of the Corinth church that Paul spoke about. They wanted to witness it firsthand. Although Paul said he had seen the gifts, he was uneasy about the current state of the Corinthians.
For this reason, he decided to Titus and a couple of other messengers ahead of him to prepare the Corinthians for his visitors. Paul wanted to ensure that he was not humiliated if the Corinthians were not open to giving at the moment.
More than Just Giving
In addition to giving, Paul wanted the people of Corinth to give of their own free will. He did not want to them to give out of obligation. He reminded them that giving to others with a kind heart was pleasing to God.
He also reminded them that God rewards others that give of themselves in abundance to other Christians. Paul prayed that the people would trust him, but he said they would have to make up their own minds.
The Reason for Giving
Chapter 9 ends with Paul expressing how important the gifts collected for the people in Macedonia would be. The saints would be able to purchase much needed supplies and the good deeds would be very pleasing to the Lord.
In addition, their generous giving would serve as motivation to the recipients of how true Christians were to treat one another. The saints of Macedonia would give thanks to God for receiving this blessing. Paul also gave thanks to God for providing and making these transactions possible.
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2 Corinthians 9 (King James Version)
1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.