Grace in Giving
ICS Daily Devotions

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