Episode #158. Today we’ll read 2 Corinthians chapter 9 together. In this chapter, Paul talks about motivations for giving.
Transcript
Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #158. Today we’ll read 2nd Corinthians chapter 9 together: In this chapter, Paul talks about motivations for giving.
Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast. I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together. Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should. It’s just easier to do it with a friend. So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud. I’m so glad you’re here!
Welcome
Can I share some excitement with you? Amazon finally let the world know that it can listen to podcasts thru Amazon Music app and guess what podcast was submitted and approved? It’s us! It’s Lifting Her Voice! And what makes it doubly exciting is that if a podcast is listed on Amazon, it’s automatically listed on Audible.
Honestly, I have no idea why I’m so tickled about this. I mean, Apple is far and away the biggest podcast directory with Spotify chasing hard. We’ve been on both of those since the beginning. Maybe I’m just a sucker for being included. Maybe I just believe that the more exposure the podcast gets, the more people will start reading the Bible every day. And what’s our podcast scripture? Say it with me:
For just as the rain and snow fall from heaven
and do not return there
without saturating the earth
and making it germinate and sprout,
and providing seed to sow
and food to eat,
so my word that comes from my mouth
will not return to me empty,
but it will accomplish what I please
and will prosper in what I send it to do.
There really is purpose in reading and knowing the Word of God.
So, you know what to do. Tell one friend today that they can listen to the podcast on Amazon Music. Better yet, just grab their phone, download the app if you have to, search Lifting Her Voice, and hit Follow. They they’ll get a notification everyday when the new episode is uploaded.
2 Corinthians Chapter 9
Motivations for Giving
Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. For I know your eagerness, and I boast about you to the Macedonians, “Achaia has been ready since last year,” and your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter would not prove empty, and so that you would be ready just as I said. Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be put to shame in that situation. Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion.
Cheerful Giver
The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. As it is written:
He distributed freely;
he gave to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.
Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Closing Thoughts
Okay, bottom line? We can’t out-give God. Go ahead…I dare you to try. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not encouraging you to give in order to get. You will receive rewards, I promise you that. Re-read this chapter alone and you’ll come away knowing that. But we know that the reason we give, is because we’ve already been rewarded. Rewarded with grace; unearned favor. I’ll say it again: You and I cannot get to heaven on our own. But if you’ve made the decision to call on Christ, accept His gift of grace and committed yourself to turn from your sin and give yourself over to the care and control of Him, you are saved from the judgement of God and you will spend eternity with Him. So we truly can’t outgive Him because He’s already given us what we cannot buy. Let’s pray.
Prayer
Father, thank You for this indescribable gift! Thank You that through Your generosity, You teach us to be generous to others. Thank You that You are so faithful to us even when we are unfaithful to You. We give the praise and honor and glory forever to You. Amen.
Thank you for joining me here today. I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here. In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort. Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us. If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review. Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. See you right here tomorrow. Be well!
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Show Notes
- Awesome Video of Solomon’s Temple
- These will help! Overview videos of all books of the Bible
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Bible Study Resources
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