Liberality Yields Thanksgiving

2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

Modern Christianity has terribly corrupted both the meaning and beauty of liberality. Giving has turned into a show designed to bring honour and praise to those doing the giving. God never intended giving to be so perverted. For this reason, the apostle Paul declared that the bountiful giving of the saints caused thanks to be given to God (2 Corinthians 9:11). The more they gave, the more thanks God would receive (2 Corinthians 9:12). The Corinthians recognized that man should not receive personal glory for giving especially when considering the fact that one’s ability to give does not exist apart from God’s enabling. This is not to say that an individual who obeys God should not be appreciated for his obedience to God. Yet, all praise and thanks belong to God. Men should give abundantly in hopes that the Lord would receive the glory and receive many thanks.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

(For children):Paul was thankful to God for the church at Philippi (Philippians 1:3). One reason was their liberality (Philippians 4:15-16). Paul used the money to help in his ministry of telling people how to be saved (Philippians 4:17).

(For everyone):Does your giving bring glory to you or glory to God? Do you give liberally to a point where it is obvious that God is the one who gets the glory rather than man?

(For everyone):Does your service to God bring glory and attention to you or glory and attention to the Lord? What could you do differently in order to redirect attention and focus upon the Lord?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

Ask God to teach you to do things in a way that gives Him glory.

Thank the Lord for using you to get believers to give Him thanks.

SONG

To God Be the Glory

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