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THE BLESSEDNESS OF GIVING (II)
LORD’S DAY, MARCH 1
2 Corinthians 9:12-15
Romans 15:26-27
“Thanks be unto God
for his unspeakable gift.”
 
THE BLESSEDNESS OF GIVING (II)
 
When there is sincere giving, not only is the giver blessed but also the recipient. In the case of the Jerusalem saints, they were very much cheered when they received the contributions from the Macedonian and Corinthian churches. They were greatly relieved from their poverty by the funds that were given in love by the saints. “For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things” (Rom 15:26-27).
 
However, Paul looked beyond the physical relief to the spiritual. When the Jerusalem saints received the generous help, it led them to praise God for how the Lord had used the Gentile churches as instruments to lovingly bless them. This was only possible because of the Gospel of Christ which transformed men from being selfish creatures to selfless saints. The cheerful giving of the Gentile churches led to effusive worship and praise of God. All glory be unto His matchless name!
 
Paul then gave thanks to God for the “unspeakable gift.” What is this gift that is too wonderful for words? Some believe this gift to be the generous relief received by the Jerusalem saints. Others however take this gift to be the exceeding grace in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 9:14). The fact that the “gospel of Christ” is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 9:13 makes the latter to be more likely. “Inasmuch as Paul called this gift ‘indescribable’, any lesser identification than the one given above seems out of place” (Kent).
 
We thank God that the Corinthian Christians heeded the exhortations of Paul and gave liberally to the Jerusalem saints as seen in Romans 15:26- 27. Let us learn from the Macedonian and Corinthian Christians and be a blessing to others by our giving.
 
THOUGHT: “Do something good for Jesus every day” (Timothy Tow).
PRAYER: Make me a channel of blessing, O Father.

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