Trusting God Concerning Giving and Receiving Part 4
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Purposeful Giving
Purposeful Giving
Why did God put Christ in us? Why did he give us the power of the Holy Spirit?
Our purpose is to glorify God.
The purpose of giving is to glorify God, too.
2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV:
Every man according as he purposeth [to choose before] in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Some people misuse the idea of “as he purposes in his heart” to rationalize their giving choices. We do have the right to choose. But there is another definition for that word translated purposeth: it means to bring forward or bring forth from one’s stores. We are to bring forth out of our stores in our hearts.
When we have our hearts aligned with God’s heart, we can go to God and ask, “Father, what should I give? How should I give?” We line up our hearts with God’s, and then the purpose is joined together.
See the “so let him give” that is in italics in the King James? That’s because there is no Greek behind that; those words were added because they were implied. That’s the figure of speech Ellipsis, which puts the emphasis on the missing word or concept.
The context of this section is on sowing and reaping. Sowing bountifully. It’s not just about general giving or financial giving; it’s sowing bountifully.
2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV:
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:
We give bountifully to help where there is need. We are in a family business.
Verses 9 and 10 are in parentheses. They are going to give us a little more of a clue about how we are to do this kind of purposeful, thoughtful giving out of our storehouses.
2 Corinthians 9:9–10 KJV:
9 (As it is written [in Psalm 112:9], He hath dispersed [scattered] abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness [alms giving] remaineth for ever. 10 Now he [God] that ministereth [leads a chorus, emphatic] seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
He has “dispersed abroad.” This is still in the context of sowing. At that time, farmers would manually scatter seeds in their fields. Disbursing abroad is how you sow abundantly. The word “righteousness” in verse 9 can be translated as “alms giving” from both Hebrew and Aramaic. It was righteous to give alms.
There’s an element there of thoughtfulness, purposefulness—you are giving alms to the poor. It’s a benefit to others. Your alms giving remaineth forever because when you give, when you sow, it starts bearing fruit, and that continues on.
Excerpt from Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible (written between 1810 and 1826):
To lead the chorus means to join to, to associate, to supply or furnish one thing after another so that there would be no want or chasm. Thus, God is represented in the course of his providence, associating and connecting causes and effects. Keeping everything in its proper place and state of dependence on one another, and all upon Himself. So that summer, winter, heat and cold, seedtime and harvest, regularly succeed each other. Thus God leads up this grand chorus of causes and effects. He provides the seed to the hand of the sower. Then He gives him skill to discern the times when the earth should be prepared for the grain, and when the grain should be sowed. He blesses the earth. He causes it to bring forth and bud. So that it may again minister seed to the sower and bread to the eater. And by a watchful providence, He preserves everything.
The figure is beautiful and shows us the grand system of causes and effects. All directed by, and under, the immediate guidance and government of God Himself.
Wealth is given with a view to generosity.
Thankfulness is the barometer to know whether you are trusting God.
When we are giving properly, we will be thankful.
2 Corinthians 9:11–15 KJV:
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.
We get into trouble when we think that the purpose of planting the seed is so that we get a harvest that we can use for our own consumption. That’s now how it works, and not how it is supposed to work.
God wants us to have a harvest—so that we are enriched in everything and can give more to others.
Luke 6:38 KJV:
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
The context of this whole section is about more than giving or money. Don’t judge, so you won’t be judged. If you have mercy, you’ll get mercy. Forgive. Don’t condemn. For with the same measure that you give out, it will be measured to you.
What is your standard? What is the measure that you are using for your giving? Do we add a bit more? 30% more? A really good measure?
Obadiah 15 KJV:
For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
When we line up our hearts with God’s, then we won’t be looking at it in logical, human terms. That’s not how God set it up.
When our purposes align with God’s purposes, and we release them, we know that we are scattering, knowing that God is in charge. So, we can do that good measure, pressed down, shaken together.
The tithe is like training wheels for a career of ever-growing Christian giving.
You can see many articles about giving on GenerousGiving.org. Proportional, consistent giving.
1 Corinthians 16:2–3 KJV:
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
Sacrificial Giving
Philippians 4:18–19 KJV:
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
It was not a small thing. It required planning, preparation, and traveling to deliver it. Paul recognizes it as a sweet smell and an acceptable sacrifice.
Giving often requires planning, preparation, and some sacrifice.
You have to go out of your way. You have to go out of your way to be concerned about something, to see where the need is, to open your heart to listen to God.
Psalm 22:5 KJV:
They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded [disappointed or put to shame].
If there’s an area regarding our finances where we are either ashamed, disappointed, confounded, or disconcerted in any way, then there’s something in there where we’re not trusting God.
It’s a promise: If we trust God, we will not be disappointed.
God will fulfill His promises; He’s the great chorus director.
Jeremiah 17:7–8 KJV:
7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Psalm 1:3 KJV:
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
See Also:
Cheerful Givers by George Müller
The audio files are also available from the Acts Now Fellowship website:
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