The apostle is in this chapter continuing to press upon the saints at Corinth the subject he began to deal with in the twenty-four verses last before us. A little while later we find him at Miletus, delivering a farewell exhortation to the elders of the assembly at Ephesus, for every word of which we give thanks to God. What he had written about to Corinth was still on his heart as we see from what he said at the close:
“I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support” (or come in aid of) “the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:33-3533I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:33‑35)).
It was superfluous for the apostle to write to the believers at Corinth concerning the ministration which is for the saints (verse 1) because they were taught of God to love one another (1 Thessalonians 4:99But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. (1 Thessalonians 4:9)). Paul could say, too, of them that he knew their readiness, which he boasted of them to Macedonians, that Achaia (southern Greece, wherein Corinth lies) was prepared since a year ago; and the zeal reported of the Corinthian saints had stimulated the mass, or body of the brethren.
Nevertheless, as he proceeds to say in verses 3 and following, he had sent the three brothers mentioned in verses 16-24 of chapter 8 in order to make sure that the promised gift for the poor saints at Jerusalem should be ready when he arrived at Corinth.
“But I have sent the brethren in order that our boasting about you may not be made void in this respect, in order that, as I have said, ye may be prepared; lest haply, if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, that we say not ye, may be put to shame in this confidence.
“I thought it necessary therefore to beg the brethren that they would come to you and complete beforehand your fore-announced blessing, that this may be ready thus as blessing, and not as got out of you. But this (is true), he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in (the spirit of) blessing shall reap also in blessing; each according as he is purposed in his heart, not grievingly, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (verses 3-7, New Translation of J. N. Darby).
Here is a fresh example of God’s interest in His people. Had you thought of His interest in the money and time you devote to giving for His people’s needs, and for His work? He that sows with a lean hand shall reap after the same kind, and he who sows in the spirit of blessing shall reap also in blessing; God says it, and tells us that He loves a cheerful giver.
Further, the size of the giving is to be, “each according as he is purposed in his heart, not grievingly, or of necessity.” No thought is here of tithing, a rule laid down for Israel, but not for the Christian! That legal system was not designed for those who rejoice in Christ Jesus, the risen, glorified Saviour. What is the portion of my income that I should give to the Lord? The answer is in the verses we have been reading—read, and prayed over; guidance waited for and when learned, acted upon. “But God is able to make every gracious gift (or benefit) abound toward you, that having in every way always all-sufficiency, ye may abound to every good work; according as it is written he has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his righteousness remains forever. Now He that supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating shall supply and make abundant your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, enriched in every way unto all free-hearted liberality which works through us thanksgiving to God” (verses 8-11, JND).
God is able! So our thoughts are directed toward Him. And His desire for us is plain—that having in every way always all-sufficiency (with Him to lean upon) we may abound to every good work. Young Christian, and Christian no longer young, have we been missing God’s blessing in neglecting to give for His cause, under His guidance?
The quotation in verse 9 is from Psalm 112:99He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honor. (Psalm 112:9) where the subject is man blessed in the kingdom bye and bye, when the Lord Jesus will reign over this earth, but it is quoted because it has a present application.
You will notice that verse 10 is not a prayer to God, as it appears in the ordinary English text, but is a positive statement of what He does and will do: “Now He that supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating shall supply and make abundant your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, enriched in every way unto all free-hearted liberality.” Thus will He add His blessing to every child of His whose “sowing” is under His approval.
“Because the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints, but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God; they glorifying God through the proof of this ministration by reason of your subjection by profession to the glad tidings of the Christ, and your free-hearted liberality in communicating toward them and toward all; and in their supplication for you full of ardent desire for you on account of the exceeding grace of God (which is) upon you.” (verses 12-14, JND)
The apostle in these verses is anticipating the results of the warmhearted giving when the gift should reach the needy saints in Jerusalem. Filling up the measure of what was lacking, many thanksgivings to God, and the prayers of those saints to God for the Gentile believers who had opened their pocketbooks for them, Paul foresees, but a greater gift fills his eyes: “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!” (verse 15). The gift of His beloved Son it is, of course, that is in view. Our little giving’s for the needy are as nothing in comparison with the gift of the Son of His love, that we poor rebel sinners might live through Him.