Scripture Reading : 2 Corinthians 9
Theme : Blessings of Giving
This chapter continued the thought expressed at the end of chapter 8 on giving.
- Completing the giving (9:1-5). The Corinthians’ original zeal for giving had prompted Paul to boast about them to the Macedonians, which in turn stirred them up to contribute so sacrificially to the project. However, the rebellion against Paul, incited by false teachers, had apparently halted their giving. To forestall the embarrassment of being unprepared when the Macedonians arrived for the collection, Paul urged the Corinthians to finish what they had started.
- Benefits of giving (9:6-15). To motivate the Corinthians in completing their giving, Paul uses a familiar agricultural imagery that generous givers will reap generous blessings from God (“sow bountifully…reap bountifully”) while those who hold back selfishly and fearing loss will forfeit gain (“sow sparingly…reap sparingly”). The reason God gives back to those who give is not so that people can consume on their own desires, but to ensure that generous believers will lack nothing and even have the means to further express that generosity in order for the cycle of giving to continue. Therefore, giving should be voluntary and Christians should be happy, joyous givers. Such giving and receiving will produce glory and thanksgiving to God and give evidence that they possessed a living faith (cf. James 2:14-26).
Praying the Scripture
- The NASB uses the phase “not affected by covetousness” instead of “exaction” in ESV to warn of the sin which could keep the Corinthians from meeting their commitment. Covetousness (greed) characterizes unbelievers (Ps. 10:3; Rom 1:29; 1 Cor. 6:10; Eph. 5:3), especially false teachers (1 Tim. 6:5; Titus 1:11; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 11) and is a form of idolatry (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5). Let’s pray that we will not allow the sin of covetousness to hinder our giving.
- The most outrageous example of materialism in the name of Christianity is unquestionably the Prosperity Gospel, which claim that God’s will is for all believers to be rich and healthy. This has reduced God to a utilitarian genie who simply grants believers’ every desire. Let’s pray that we will not listen to such prosperity lies, but to obey Jesus’ command: “do not store up for yourself treasures on earth…but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matt 6:19-20).
- Human wisdom teaches that prosperity comes from grasping for wealth. But God’s plan for financial soundness is the exact opposite: generous giving (Prov. 3:9-10; Prov. 11:24-25; Prov. 19:17, Mal. 3:10; Luke 6:38). Since giving naturally seems to result in having less, it takes faith to believe that giving will open up God’s blessing. Let’s pray that we will not cling on to worldly wealth, but give cheerfully and voluntary to the Lord according to what we have purposed in our heart.
经文：哥林多后书9
主题：奉献的祝福
这段经文延续了第八章捐钱的主题。
- 完成捐赠工作（9:1-5）。哥林多信徒对捐钱原有的热忱促使保罗常在马其顿人面前夸奖他们，而这激发了他们对这项目的无私奉献。可是，由假教师发起对保罗的抗议也造成他们停止奉献。为不让哥林多人在马其顿人前来收集奉献时因还未预备而感羞愧，保罗催促他们尽快完成所开始的工作。
- 捐钱的好处（9:6-15）。为激励哥林多人完成他们的奉献，保罗使用了一个熟悉的农业比喻，告诉他们慷慨捐钱的人会领受神大大的祝福（“多种的多收”），但害怕亏损，自私自利的人必不会得利（“少种的少收”）。神之所以会大大祝福捐钱的人并不是要叫他们能纵容自己的私欲，而是要确保这些慷慨的信徒什么都不缺，甚至有能力继续展现其慷慨之心，延续捐钱的循环。因此，捐钱不是出于逼迫；信徒当开心，乐意地捐钱。此类给予与领受的举动会叫许多人越发感谢神，并产生他们确实得救的凭据（参：各2:14-26）。
用经文祷告
- “勉强”（5节）也可译为不受贪婪之心的影响，从而提防哥林多人若无能委身完成捐钱项目的祸根。贪婪是非信徒的标志（诗10:3；罗1:29；林前6:10；弗5:3），尤其是假教师（提前6:5；多1:11；彼后2:1-3；犹11），也是一种偶像（弗5:5；西3:5）。让我们祷告我们不会容许贪婪之罪阻止我们捐钱。
- 以基督教为名，最令人羞耻的唯物主义之例无疑是致富福音，而他们宣称神的旨意是要所有信徒作富裕又健康的人。他们就此仅把神当成是一个满足信徒每一意愿的超级精灵。让我们祷告我们不会听从此类谎言，但服从神的命令：“不要为自己积攒财宝在地上……只要积攒财宝在天上”（太6:19-20）。
- 人类智慧教导财富来自争夺钱财。可是，神对稳固财经的理念截然相反：慷慨捐赠（箴3:9-10, 11:24-25, 19:17；玛3:10；路6:38）。既然捐赠自然使得人少有，我们必须相信奉献能打开神祝福的门。让我们祷告我们不会紧抓住属世的钱财，而是甘心乐意，依着心里所定的奉献于主。
