2 Corinthians 9:2 - Homilies By E. Hurndall

I. AN INDISPUTABLE FACT . Man is imitative, even in generosity. Example is often potent when appeal falls flat. Many do not see that they can afford to give until others in similar circumstances demonstrate the possibility. Men do not like to be outdone in good works; a friend's beneficence is a spur to our own.

II. A SUGGESTIVE FACT . When we give we often think only of the direct good which our contribution will effect, but much other good may follow. Our charity may be stimulative. Should lead us:

1 . To give promptly . Delayed gift may be in time for the special object, but may be too late to induce others to give in time. Our charity must have time to work; some people take hints slowly. Bis dat, qui cito dat, is true in more ways than one.

2 . To give liberally . We may curtail the charity of others. On the other hand, a liberal gift may draw forth liberal responses.

3 . To give joyfully . If we give with evident gladness, others may desire to share our happiness. Joyful giving is more contagious than any other, since all men naturally crave for joy.

4 . To give to suitable objects only . We may misdirect the charity of others. There is not a little responsibility attaching to benevolence. Some seem to think that, if they give, it is little matter how or to what they give.

III. A COMFORTING FACT . The truly liberal are often distressed because they can give so little. But small gifts may have large issues. The small rudder directs the great ship. The little weight often turns the scale. Our gift, of little value, may call forth large help from those wealthier than ourselves. This is likely if men see that, though we give little, we give as much as we can.

IV. A USEFUL FACT . To be made use of according to the example set by Paul. A legitimate instrument for moving sluggish natures. Whilst we may be silent respecting our own charity, we may often profitably speak of the charity of others.—H.

2 Corinthians 9:7 - The cheerful giver.

I. How THE CHEERFUL GIVER GIVES .

1 . Bountifully . His cheerfulness ensures liberality. It is the grudging giver who gives but little. But he who gives with gladness will desire much of that gladness. And he who sows bountifully reaps bountifully, and that without waiting, for he has at once a great harvest of joy.

2 . Willingly . No compulsion is needed. He runs eagerly in the flowery and fruitful path of charity. He is not driven by the stings of conscience or by a desire to stand well with his fellows. His heart is enlisted, and the service he renders is hearty.

3 . Joyfully . It is not a pain to him to give, but a pleasure. Some give their money to the needy as they give their teeth to the dentist; and often the disposition to give totally disappears on the threshold! But the cheerful giver enjoys giving. It is a delight to him. How giving is transformed in character when this is so! The same thing, how different to different natures! When we have learnt to love giving, what a pure joy we experience! Before, it was but the carcase of Samson's dead lion, but now we gather most luscious honey by handfuls. We miss a most heavenly joy if we miss the gladness of giving.

II. GOD 'S REGARD FOR THE CHEERFUL GIVER . What God thinks of us is the all-important question. Now, the cheerful giver approves himself to the Most High. And not with cold approbation does God behold him. "God loveth a cheerful giver." God loves this kind of giving, and he loves the one who thus gives. A grudging giver is peculiarly offensive to God. It is so monstrous that, when God has lent us so many things, we should hesitate to return to him the few for which he asks. But when we have as much joy in returning as we had in receiving, he is well pleased. And when we rise still higher and believe truly that "it is more blessed to give than to receive," we please him the more. The cheerful giver resembles God, for God is a cheerful Giver;—how bountifully and how willingly he has endowed us! Here are incentives to cheerful giving—that we please God, secure the love of God, and become like God.

III. GOD 'S PROMISE TO THE CHEERFUL GIVER . A promise of great prosperity ( 2 Corinthians 9:6 , 2 Corinthians 9:8-10 ). The short-sighted always judge that giving means losing, and that saving means gaining; but "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty" ( Proverbs 11:24 ). And our Master said, "Give, and it shall be given unto you". If we want to get little we must give little. The niggardly farmer gets a scanty crop. In God's providence those who are benevolent are commonly largely blessed in earthly things. Approving themselves to God, they are the subjects of his special care; "And God is able to make all grace abound" unto them ( 2 Corinthians 9:8 ). If those who give money do not always get more money, they always get much of what is far better than money. The distinct promise of God is that they shall be blessed and prospered. What form the blessing and prosperity shall take will be gladly left to God by the devout spirit. Often an increase of the means of charity results. God gives us more that we may give more. Having wisely used our talent, he entrusts us with further riches (see 2 Corinthians 9:8 , 2 Corinthians 9:10 , 2 Corinthians 9:11 ).

IV. THE INFLUENCE OF THE CHEERFUL GIVER .

1 . He convinces men of the reality of religion . ( 2 Corinthians 9:13 .) Men appreciate such a test of piety as this. Words they are apt to reckon at a cheap rate, but spontaneous and joyful liberality staggers them. Cheerful giving is to be ranked amongst the evidences of Christianity.

2 . He causes men to thank and to glorify God . ( 2 Corinthians 9:11-13 .) What is the origin of Christian benevolence? is a question suggested to the minds of those blessed by it. And this inquiry terminates in God. As he has implanted charity in his people's hearts, he is clearly entitled to the praise: Aided believers naturally bless God that he has inclined his stewards to minister to their needs, and magnify his grace which has produced such fruitfulness in human hearts. The cheerful giver has a wider and more powerful influence than sometimes he suspects.

V. THE GIFTS OF MEN TO THE CHEERFUL GIVER .

1 . Their prayers . ( 2 Corinthians 9:14 .) What is the price of prayer! What a valuable return for the expenditure of mere gold! If we secure the earnest, loving, believing prayers of those to whom we minister, we shall be greatly enriched. The "prayer of a righteous man availeth much" ( James 5:16 ). Men are willing to give much if their friend will but speak for them to the sovereign; but the cheerful giver is often spoken for to the King of kings.

2 . Their love . ( 2 Corinthians 9:14 .) Love is not to be lightly estimated; it is spiritual gold, milch more precious than material. A man is rich if his treasury is well stored with the love of his fellows. The love of good men especially is a large recompense. Here we have the love of man and the love of God promised to those who delight in mercy and in helpfulness to the children of want.—H.

2 Corinthians 9:15 - The Gift of gifts.

Undoubtedly the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paid has been speaking of the lesser gifts of saints. Now he rises to God's supreme Gift. Consider—

I. THE GIVER . God. Who could give Christ but God? We must not forget that God gave Christ. Many do, and form the erroneous notion that, whilst Christ is their friend, God is their enemy. Redemption is of the whole Deity. " God so loved the world," etc. Note: the Giver was a God

It was whilst we were yet sinners that Christ came to redeem us. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our sins" ( 1 John 4:10 ).

II. THE GIFT .

1 . A gift .

He is ours forever and ever . He is the saint's everlasting inheritance.

2 . An unspeakable gift .

III. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE GIFT .

1 . Human beings . Christ was given to the human race, not to the angelic, nor to the merely animal. How greatly honoured is mankind I If Christ was given to men, what a future must be before those who receive this gift!

2 . Fallen human beings . Man, "made a little lower than the angels," soon fell much lower, and then the gift came. A marvellous return for man's apostasy! When the cry of humanity was for sternest punishment, Heaven's response was "Jesus of Nazareth." Well may we exclaim, "Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!" ( Romans 11:33 ).

IV. APPROPRIATE GRATITUDE . Paul cries, "Thanks be to God;" and well he may. How can we thank God enough for such a gift as this? What would be our state if this gift had not been bestowed?

"Love so amazing, so Divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all."

Throughout eternity we shall praise God for the gift unspeakable. Now let us praise him with:

1 . Lip . Tell out our gratitude. Suppressed praise is indecent. We should desire all the world to know how thankful we are.

2 . Heart . The tongue in this matter must be moved by the spirit, or it will not make sweet music in the ear of God. The gift came from the heart of God: let our thanksgiving come from the heart also.

3 . Active service . What are we willing to do to show our gratitude? Paul was so subdued by the "unspeakable gift" that he loved to call himself " the slave of Jesus Christ;" and he counted no toil too severe to show his thankfulness.

4 . Life . Our whole being and existence should constitute a psalm. This is the true "psalm of life." Every power should be pressed into the service. As this gift is ever the supreme blessing in our life, we should ever be praising God for it.

Terrible thought! The unspeakable Gift may be rejected! What unspeakable folly, what unspeakable guilt, what unspeakable condemnation, must follow!—H.