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BIBLE
STUDY LESSON
For
the week beginning Sunday April 15, 2018
THE
COLLECTION FOR CHRISTIANS IN JERUSALEM
2
Corinthians 9
Throughout all the ages we can find that one
of the oldest principals of life, that continues to persist in both, the
physical, and, the spiritual world, is that, the size of a harvest, under
normal circumstances, always corresponds directly with the amount of sowing
that was done.
In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul continues on with
his written lecture to the Corinthians on generous giving. However, here he
focuses his efforts more clearly on the collection for the Christians central
Mother Church at Jerusalem. In this section of his letter he issues a not-
so-subtle reminder to the Corinthians of how eager they were to help the cause
when they had first heard of it a year earlier. This reminder is issued here,
first in written form, so as to spare their branch of the Christian Church Network
the embarrassment of not being prepared as promised, or, not being willing to
follow through on what they had started.
Paul had been boasting about the generosity
of the Corinthians to the Macedonians, and his boasting had helped to stir up
enthusiasm there, and, in a lot of other churches along the Christian network
of believers. In addition, he had sent Titus, along with two other trusted men
from the Church to help ensure that the gifts they had promised would be ready
when he himself arrived some time later.
The relationship between Paul and the
brethren at Corinth had been plenty strained in the three years since Paul had
visited there, and he had suffered much while he awaited their reaction to his
“sorrowful letter” that he had sent earlier by Titus. However, he truly cared
for the Christians at Corinth and he wanted to make amends with them, but more
importantly, he needed to uphold the integrity of his apostolic credentials.
Paul did spend the following winter months in Corinth, and it was at that time,
that, he probably wrote his, now famous, letter to the Romans.
This second letter to the Corinthians,
however, is most personal, and perhaps, the least doctrinal of all of Paul’s
known letters to the Christian churches of the first century. He tells of some
very personal experiences in this letter as he vividly reveals an intense
emotion and personality, not seen in any of his other epistles. This letter
truly shows us Paul’s deep sincerity and determination to live by the
principals of material exchange between
churches, that really had already been laid out by GOD in HIS law since the
days of the Israelites desert experience with the “manna from Heaven” (Exodus
16:18). There GOD sought to show us that, the person who follows HIM, needs
will always be met. JESUS, our LORD and SAVIOR, sought to show us the very same
thing during HIS lifetime here on earth.
Remember, anyone who sows generously will
reap generously, and anyone who sows sparingly, will reap sparingly. Paul warns
us, however, that we should not give reluctantly, or, in response to pressure,
because GOD only loves the attitude of a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
And GOD will generously provide for all of our needs, with plenty left over, so
that we can share even further with others in need.
GOD gives us many opportunities to do good
deeds, and HE will produce a great harvest of generosity in all those who take
advantage of those opportunities by using them to help someone else in need
(Vs.10-11). That’s right! The true Christian should want more, so that they can
have more to give away. And when we use the blessings that GOD has given us to
enrich the lives of others, two things will transpire. First, we will have met
the needs of someone who may have otherwise gone without. And secondly, that
person whom you helped will hopefully see the need to glorify GOD through their
expression of thanksgiving. In both instances, GOD will be pleased, and your
generosity will prove to HIM, your good stewardship, and, your obedience to the
Gospel of CHRIST (Vs.12-13).
I’ll leave you with the well-known story of
the widow’s offering, as it is so vividly depicted by Luke in chapter 21,
verses 1-4, of the Gospel account that bears his name. “While JESUS was in the
temple, HE watched the rich people putting their gifts into the collection box.
Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two pennies. Then JESUS responded, “I
assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they
(the rich) have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is,
has given everything she has” (NLT). In my mind, this lady’s attitude and
spirit for giving, sets the New Testament standard of CHRIST, for gracious,
cheerful, GODly benevolence on a human level, for all to see and understand,
even in this age.
A Sunday school lesson
by,
Larry D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
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