2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 10 (NKJV) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work…Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
In the above passage, Paul was preparing the members of the church in Corinth to make the collection that they had promised to give as a freewill offering to the church in Jerusalem to help the poor. Initially, the Corinthians had reacted passionately to give and even stirred up the interest of other churches in the region to contribute. However, they were slow to respond in collecting the offering that they had promised as there had been some disagreement between Paul and the church in Corinth. Men tend to be swayed by their feelings, are easily offended, and like to rationalise or justify their actions. Sometimes, we may not even honour our words.
This passage revealed to us how God works with His stewards in managing His resources. First, freewill offerings should be given out of a joyful and willing heart. Second, freewill offering is like a seed that’s sown to the ground to produce a harvest. Therefore, if nothing is sowed when the time calls for it, there will be no harvest. Also, how much we reap will be determined by how much we have sown. God will supply, multiply, and ensure we are abundantly supplied so that we have all sufficiency to do more good works after we have been proven faithful in giving freewill offerings.
The first step into this grace in giving is the acknowledgment that God is the source of all our provision. Acknowledging that we are a steward of His resources makes it easier for us to give freewill offerings. By applying faith in the truth revealed above that He will continue to provide for us, we can continue to be a blessing to those who are in need.
We have been crucified with Christ and we no longer live. The lives that we live we live for Christ who loves us and gave himself for us, and we do not live for ourselves. Therefore, we should live consecrated and sanctified lives. Jesus said we are to love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds. We cannot love God and mammon at the same time because we will love one and hate the other. Therefore, paying tithe and freewill offerings are ways for the Lord to keep our hearts in check so that the worship of mammon will not creep into our lives.
Sermon Series: Freewill Offering
奉献中的恩典
哥林多后书 9:6-8，10： 少种的少收；多种的多收种，这话是真的。 各人要随本心所酌定的，不要作难，不要勉强；因为捐得乐意的人是神所喜爱的。神将各样的恩惠多多地加给你们，使你们凡事常常充足，能多行各样善事。那赐种给撒种的，赐粮给人吃的，必多多加给你们种地的种子，又增添你们仁义的果子。
上面这段经文中，保罗正准备让哥林多的会众进行募捐，他们曾经承诺将这些自由奉献给耶路撒冷教会的钱收集起来帮助穷人。哥林多信徒起初对奉献反应热烈，甚至激起该地区其他教会奉献的兴趣。然而，由于保罗和哥林多教会之间存在一些意见不合，他们在收取所承诺的奉献时反应有些迟缓。人往往会被自己的感觉所左右、容易被冒犯、并倾向于为自己的行为合理化或辩解；有时候甚至会言而无信。
这段经文向我们揭示了上帝是如何与祂的管家一起管理祂的资源。首先，自由奉献应该出于喜乐和乐意的心。其次，自由奉献就像一粒种子，撒在地里会产出收成。那么在节期已至却没有播种，就不会有收获。此外，我们能有多少收获将取决于我们播种多少。在我们忠心地自由奉献后，上帝将会供应、倍增，并确保我们得到充足的供应，我们就有足够的能力做更多的善工。
进入这奉献恩典的第一步就是承认上帝是我们一切供应的源泉. 承认自己是祂资源的管家，会让自由奉献变得更容易。对上述揭示的真理充满信心，就是相信祂会继续供应我们，使得我们能够继续成为那需要帮助者的祝福。
我们已与基督同钉十字架，现在活着的不再是我。我们如今的生命是为基督而活，就是那位爱我们并为我们舍己的耶稣。我们不再为自己而活。因此我们要活出成圣和奉献的生命。耶稣说我们要全心、全灵、全意爱主。我们无法同时爱上帝又爱玛门，因为会爱这个而恨那个。因此，什一奉献和自由奉献的行为是主保持我们内心警醒的方法，从而不让对玛门的崇拜潜入我们的生命。
讲章系列：自由奉献
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