Leader Guide

Sermon Text: Matt. 6:1-4; Complementary Text: 2 Cor. 9:6-15

Author: Paul Audience: Corinthians Big Picture: The Apostle Paul gives guidelines for giving which will help us apply what Jesus is teaching His followers in the Sermon on the Mount.

What is the main point of the passage?

The Apostle Paul believed there were benefits to giving, and that giving produced an attitude of thankfulness which expressed thanksgiving to God, ultimately in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, the “unspeakable Gift.

What does the text say about God?

“God loves a cheerful giver” (V. 7)

Once again, Paul relied on proverbial wisdom. This proverb probably circulated widely among Jewish rabbis and early Christian teachers because Paul used it freely as justification for his views.

God gives blessings. (v. 8-9,11)

Paul believed that God’s love extends to all who are in Christ, but he had in mind here a special affection or approval that leads to significant blessing in the life of the believer.

‘God is able’ (dunateo), but he is free to choose whom, how, when, and to what degree he will bless… When God so chooses to bless, the result will be that ‘in all things at all times’ believers will receive ‘all that they need’ and ‘will abound in every good work.’

9:9 - To support his assertion that God is able to do all these things. Paul quoted Psalm 112:9 from the Septuagint. This verse describes different characteristics of the righteous person, and verse 9 depicts him as generous to the poor. This theme fit well with Paul’s emphasis on generous giving at Corinth because these contributions were destined for the poor of Jerusalem.

9:11 - Paul went on to describe what the Corinthians could expect as they contributed to the poor in Jerusalem. He first said that they would be ‘made rich in every way.’ Paul was not promising material blessings to those who give generously. He knew that faithful believers are often poor, just as the Jerusalem saints were at that time.

1 The key to understanding this expression is the similar language in 1 Corinthians 1:5, 7 where Paul rejoiced that the Corinthians had been ‘enriched in every way--in all [their] speaking and in all [their] knowledge,’ and did ‘not lack any spiritual gift.’ The riches of the Christian life before the return of Christ are primarily the blessings of the Holy Spirit. He is the down payment on the inheritance of riches we will receive when Christ returns. When the Spirit is poured out on believers in dramatic ways, they are made rich in every way.

In this light, Paul’s idea becomes clear. If the Corinthians gave generously, they could expect a dramatic enrichment of their lives by the Spirit. They would be so blessed they would be able to ‘be generous on every occasion’--able to meet whatever needs they encountered with the rich ministry of the Spirit.

God provides. (v. 10)

Paul made it clear that God (not their selfish greed) was able to supply their needs.”

9:10. Paul followed his quotation from Psalm 112 with two allusions from the Old Testament. First, he referred to Isaiah 55:10, which praises God as the one who ‘supplies seed to the sower and bread for food.’ Second, he drew from Hosea 10:12, which promises a harvest of blessing for those who sow righteousness. Paul combined these Old Testament ideas to assure the Corinthians that God would not ignore their generosity, but would ‘enlarge the harvest’ (rewards) of their ‘righteousness.’ Their righteous deeds would not be overlooked or forgotten.

What does the text about yourself?

We are called to focus on the commands of God before anything else.

God supplies so that believers ‘may abound in every good work’--so they will be free from worry over necessities and may focus on fulfilling the commands of God.

vv. 12-15 - Confession or profession of the gospel must be demonstrated by obedience. Paul stated this principle clearly on many occasions (Rom. 6:1; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess. 1:8). In fact, he warned that flagrant disobedience would reveal the absence of saving faith (Col. 1:22-23).

Others are encouraged by seeing brothers and sisters walking in obedience.

9:14 - As he ended his encouragement to the Corinthians on this matter, Paul assured them that in the prayers of other churches, their hearts went out to the Corinthians. ‘Because of the surpassing grace’ that God had given them, many would pray. Other Christians would be so encouraged by God’s work among the Corinthians that they would intercede on their behalf. Paul assured them of this because he understood the importance of intercessory prayer. He encouraged many churches by telling them that he

2 prayed for them. He sought to motivate the Corinthians with thoughts of how wonderful it would be to have many Christians throughout the world praying for them.

9:15. This thought was so magnificent in Paul’s outlook that it caused him to break forth in praise. He wrote, “Thanks be to God.” His heart broke out in adoration for God’s ‘indescribable gift’ which made all of this possible--the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. He was overwhelmed by the thought of Gentiles in Corinth joining with other Gentile churches to provide for Jewish believers in Jerusalem. He overflowed with joy that all of these churches would join together in the praise of God and in prayer for one another. Paul was so ecstatic at this thought he could go no further.

How does the sermon text complement this text?

1. Our faith is not for show. (Matt. 6:1) (2 Cor. 9:7-8) - We need to question our motivation. - We need to understand our reward.

2. We give to honor God and serve others. (Matt. 6:2-4a) (2 Cor. 9:12-13) - We do not give loudly. - We do not give for applause.

3. God rewards our faithful giving. (Matt. 6:4b) (2 Cor. 9:11, 14-15) - God sees your quiet, faithful giving. - God rewards our quiet, faithful giving.

How can you apply this passage to day to day life as you seek to follow Christ?

We are called to give generously and this giving will result in thanksgiving. (v. 7,11-12)

Paul also assured the Corinthian church that he and his company would be blessed by generous giving. He pledged that ‘through us’ (Paul and his company) the Corinthian generosity would ‘result in thanksgiving to God.’ The apostle would praise God joyfully as he saw them fulfill this responsibility.

9:7: In light of this wise saying, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give. As he said before, he did not want them to give beyond their means, and the exact amount was a matter of conscience. The reliance on inward conviction in this matter is very important because Paul had no directive from God. As in every ethical choice that believers must make, there comes a point when the inward conviction of the Spirit must guide specific actions. Decisions of the heart must not violate the revelation of God. but they are necessary for the practical application of the principles derived from the Old and New Testaments.

3 The Holman Bible Commentary provides the following thoughts to assist us in the application of the complimentary text:

Paul raised the practical issue of relief for the poor in Jerusalem. The body of Christ extended beyond the confines of the local church at Corinth, and the believers there were responsible to care for the needs of the hungry and suffering in Jerusalem. He exhorted them to use this opportunity to show their gratitude to God for his blessings and to show sincere love for their brothers and sisters in need.

● From a pragmatic perspective, it is more effective to encourage generous charitable giving than to mandate it. ● It is our duty as Christians to help other believers. ● If our charitable giving is uncompelled and cheerful, we will be rewarded spiritually. ● We must take realistic steps to guard against the temptation to steal or mishandle church funds. ● We must take an active part in meeting the material needs of other believers. ● Christians should give generously and freely.

Resources For Further Study:

Akin, Daniel L. Christ-Centered Exposition Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Nashville: Holman Reference, 2019.

Ferguson, Sinclair. The Sermon the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1987.

Pratt, Jr., Richard L. The Holman New Testament Commentary: 1 and 2 Corinthians. Nashville: Holman Reference, 2000.

Quarles, Charles L. Sermon on the Mount: Restoring Christ’s Message to the Modern Church. Nashville: B and H Academic, 2001.