2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (NKJV) For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
In this passage, Paul was preparing the members of the Corinthian church to give the collection they had promised as a freewill offering to the church in Jerusalem to support the poor there. The Corinthians initially responded passionately, which also stirred the interest among other regional churches to contribute. However, they were slow to fulfill their promise due to a disagreement between Paul and the Corinthian church. People tend to be influenced by their feelings, easily offended, and prone to rationalising or justifying their actions, leading to failure in honouring our commitments.
Our finances are tied to the preaching of the gospel. God will use us as His conduit or channel of blessings to others because we are the body of Christ, to express His love to those inside and outside the church.
This passage reveals how God works with His stewards who manage His resources.
- Needs will be presented to us—through the church or other opportunities—to give. We must be willing to make a freewill offering joyfully. Prepare an amount to give to the Lord or any of the causes that He shows us.
- A freewill offering is like a seed sown into the ground to produce a harvest. There will be no harvest if there is no sowing. How much we reap will be determined by how much we have sown. Give what you can without compulsion so you will have a harvest in due time.
- We should give joyfully because we are God’s stewards, and every freewill offering is an opportunity to experience His faithfulness. When we give willingly, God supplies, multiplies, and ensures we have all sufficiency to abound in every good work. As we prove faithful in giving, He is glorified through our willingness to support the work He reveals to us.
It is easier to give a freewill offering if we acknowledge that we are stewards of His resources. As we place our faith in the truth that He will continue to provide, we can be a blessing to those in need. The first step into this grace of giving is acknowledging that God alone is the source of all our provision.
Reflection: Are you faithfully fulfilling what you have promised to give to the Lord, or have you allowed your feelings or circumstances to delay your obedience?
Sermon Series： Our Free Will Offering
神是我们唯一的源头
哥林多后书 9:12–15 因为办这供给的事，不但补圣徒的缺乏，而且叫许多人越发感谢神。 他们从这供给的事上得了凭据，知道你们承认基督、顺服他的福音，多多地捐钱给他们和众人，便将荣耀归于神。他们也因神极大的恩赐显在你们心里，就切切地想念你们，为你们祈祷。感谢神，因他有说不尽的恩赐！
在这段经文中，使徒保罗预备哥林多教会的信徒，将他们先前所应许的奉献——作为甘心乐意的捐献——送往耶路撒冷教会，用以帮助那里的贫困之人。起初，哥林多信徒热情回应，也激发了其他地区教会参与奉献。然而，由于保罗与哥林多教会之间曾有的分歧，他们在履行承诺上显得迟缓。人往往容易受情绪影响，因受冒犯而退缩，甚至为自己的拖延寻找合理的解释，最终未能忠实履行所许下的承诺。
我们的财务与福音的传扬紧密相连。神愿意使用我们成为祂祝福的管道，因为我们是基督的身体，承担着向教会内外彰显祂爱的使命。
这段经文向我们揭示了神如何与祂的管家同工，管理祂所托付的资源：
首先，神会将需要摆在我们面前——无论是透过教会，或其他祂所开启的机会。我们当以喜乐的心预备甘心乐意的奉献，为主分别一笔奉献，无论是支持教会事工或神所感动我们参与的需要。
其次，甘心乐意的奉献如同撒在地里的种子。没有撒种，就没有收成；收成的多少，也取决于所撒种的多少。我们应当按着自己所能的，在不勉强、不出于压力的情况下奉献，相信在神所定的时间，必有属灵的收获。
第三，我们当存喜乐的心奉献，因为我们是神资源的管家。每一次甘心的摆上，都是经历神信实的机会。当我们甘愿给予，神就供应、加增，使我们凡事充足，能够多行各样的善工。当我们在奉献上显明忠心，神也因我们乐意支持祂所启示的工作而得荣耀。
当我们承认自己不过是祂资源的管家时，奉献就不再困难。将信心建立在“祂必持续供应”的真理之上，我们便能成为他人的祝福。进入这“施与的恩典”的第一步，就是承认神是我们一切供应唯一的源头。
思考：
在你向主所许下的奉献承诺上，你是否忠心持守？还是让情绪或环境成为拖延顺服的理由？
讲章系列：甘心乐意的奉献