Acceptable Gifts

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Thursday March 6, 2008

2 Corinthians 2:17 (NIV)
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.

I find it interesting that there were people in Paul's day who were "peddling the word for profit". Such people in this day and age would be pastors who are "career" pastors; who do it for the money and not out of love for people. I've seen pastors who coerced their congregations into giving more money that they could afford to, forcing the more weak minded people to give unwillingly. Those pastors are ignoring what the Bible says about giving.

2 Corinthians 8:12-15 (NIV)
12. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.
14. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15. as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

According to these verses, gifts should be given ACCORDING TO WHAT ONE HAS. And even THEN, the gift is not acceptable unless it is given WILLINGLY! Paul's goal here was EQUALITY; that EVERYONE would have enough and NOBODY would be "hard-pressed"!

Yes, I believe in the principle of giving and receiving as much as anyone on the planet; but that principle MUST be applied SCRIPTURALLY! It is not scriptural for a minister to coerce his congregation into giving money, for any cause. According to verse 12 above, people are to give according to WHAT THEY HAVE! And even then, a person must give what is in his own heart to give, and not give reluctantly or "under compulsion":

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Why can some people give proportionately more than others, and yet give cheerfully?? Because they understand the principle of sewing and reaping:

2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (NIV)
6. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
10. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

A person who has a revelation of the principle of sewing and reaping will usually give more, understanding that he will reap a harvest with his cheerful, willing giving. A person who doesn't have a revelation of the principle of sewing and reaping will usually give less, AND THEY SHOULD, since a gift is only acceptable to God if it is given WILLINGLY!

PRAYER
Thank You Father for Your life-giving Word, that tells me so much about how to live a life that is pleasing to You. Help me understand Your Word better so I can let You govern my life more effectively.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

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