Prab: Created page with "{{DOD-December}} Chapters 8 and 9 give the principles and promises of Christian giving. New Testament giving is church giving. Paul uses the churches as examples, not..."

2015-09-26T19:58:00Z

Created page with "{{DOD-December}} Chapters 8 and 9 give the principles and promises of Christian giving. New Testament giving is church giving. Paul uses the churches as examples, not..."

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{{DOD-December}}

Chapters 8 and 9 give the principles and promises of Christian giving. [[New Testament]] giving is church giving. [[Paul]] uses the churches as examples, not individual [[Christians]]. In chapter 8:18,19,23,24, it is the churches that are emphasized. Christian giving is church giving, bringing tithes and offerings to the local church, which is [[God]]'s storehouse. The phrase "storehouse tithing" does not appear in the [[Bible]], but [[God]]'s plan for Christian giving today is through the local church. This was the very same direction [[Paul]] gave the church at Corinth in I Corinthians 16:2. On the first day of the week (the [[Lord]]'s Day) the believers (the [[Lord]]'s people) were to bring tithes and offerings to the church (the [[Lord]]'s house). The words "lay by him in store" in I Corinthians 16:2 have the same meaning as "storehouse" in [[Malachi]] 3:10.

Some [[Christians]] today say, "I don't bring my tithes to the church. I let the [[Spirit]] tell me where to send them." Does the [[Spirit]] instruct us apart from the [[Bible]]? These [[Christians]] are making two mistakes: (1) The tithe is the [[Lord]]'s, not their own; and (2) the [[Spirit]] tells us in the [[Word]] that our giving should be done through the local [[New Testament]] church. Spiritual giving is [[Bible]]-based giving. If a Christian does not bring tithes and offerings to the local church, then his heart is not in the local church ([[Matthew]] 6:21). Individual giving outside the local church may exalt men and win recognition for them, but local church giving exalts the [[Lord]] and supports His work.

Christian giving does not depend on material circumstances so much as spiritual convictions. All giving should be done from the heart. We should never give with a grudging spirit, but rather out of a heart of [[love]] for what the Saviour has done for us. The Christian who gives grudgingly will not receive a reward for it; neither will he give consistently, because he does not have [[victory]] over his pocketbook. The church at Corinth looked upon their giving as a [[grace]] (note chapter 8:1,6,7,9,19 and chapter 9:8).

In chapter 8:10-15 [[Paul]] tells us that our gifts should be measured proportionately. Tithing is the only fair way to give. [[Paul]] gave the principle of proportionate giving in I Corinthians 16:2 and here he reemphasizes it. Tithing robs no man; it is fair to the rich and poor alike. It permits all men to give and receive [[God]]'s blessing.

The tithe is 10% of all our income. This is already [[God]]'s part. We do not really give back to Him until after the 10%, and we are robbing [[God]] if we do not give the tithe. A man can never be called spiritual if he does not tithe, because he is robbing [[God]].

In chapter 9 [[Paul]] shares the promises the church at Corinth can claim if they are faithful in their giving to [[God]]. He tells us in verses 1-5 that our giving will bring blessing to others. In verses 6-11 he says giving will bring blessings to ourselves. Finally, in verses 12-15, [[Paul]] says giving will bring glory to [[God]]. We cannot read these verses without gaining a new attitude toward giving. In the Christian life, there is no such thing as "material" and "spiritual," in the final analysis. All that we have comes from [[God]], and all that we have must be used for spiritual ends. [[Paul]] teaches that giving is not a burden, but a blessing; he shows us that true Christian giving enriches the life and opens the fountains of [[God]]'s blessings.

In chapter 12 [[Paul]] gives at least four proofs of his apostleship. His revelations from Christ are given in verses 1-6. His thorn in the flesh is seen in verses 7-10. We do not know what this thorn was, but the best suggestion is an eye ailment. [[Paul]] was supernaturally blinded when converted (Acts 9:9), and it is possible that some weakness remained even in later years. Galatians 4:15 and 6:11 ("with what large letters") suggest eye trouble. This would have been a trial to [[Paul]] both physically and emotionally, and could honestly be called a "thorn in the flesh.".

There are several practical lessons to be learned from [[Paul]]'s thorn experiences. Spiritual blessings are more important than physical blessings. [[Paul]] thought he could be a better Christian if he were relieved of his weakness, but just the opposite was true. People today who preach that sickness is a [[sin]], or a result of [[sin]], would have a hard time explaining this chapter. It was [[Paul]]'s infirmity that caused him to be strong spiritually.

The second practical lesson we learn is that unanswered prayer does not always mean the need is not met. Sometimes we get a greater blessing when [[God]] does not answer our prayers. [[God]] always answers the need, even though it may seem He is not answering the prayer.

The third lesson is that weakness is strength if Christ is in it. Take time to read I Corinthians 1:26-31 for proof. Remember [[David]]'s small sling and [[Moses]]' rod.

The fourth lesson to be learned is that there is [[grace]] to meet every need. Grace enabled [[Paul]] to accept his weakness and to glory in it. [[Paul]] knew that his weakness would bring glory to Christ. That is all that mattered to him (see II Corinthians 4:7).

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Prab: Created page with "{{DOD-December}} Chapters 8 and 9 give the principles and promises of Christian giving. New Testament giving is church giving. Paul uses the churches as examples, not..."