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fo poor saints at home. True givingibegins in the purpose o f the heart (v. 7). But what the man purposes in his heart he must carry out in action if the purpose is to be o f any value. And what he thus carries out o f his heart’s purpose in the matter o f giv ing he must not do “ out o f sorrow (this is the exact force o f the words translated “grudgingly” ) ” ile., with grief that he-is giving his money away, or “ out o f neces sity,” i.e., because he is forced to. God loves a cheerful, glad giver, the giver who delights to see his hard earned money going out o f his own pocket into the pocket of some one else. The word translated “cheer ful” in this passage is ■“ hilarion,” from whifch we get our word hilarious. One of the great needs o f the present day js hilar ious givers, people who give with cheerful, abounding joy. Monday, March n . 2 Cor. 9 : 8 . In connection with this subject of giving Paul brings in one o f the sweetest, most cheering and most ihspiring promises of the Bible, “And God is able to make all grace abound unto you ; that ye, having always all-sufficiency in everything, may abound untp every good work.” Just notice the alls and the everys and the abounds, and “sufficiency.” The promise begins with, three short words ,that ought to banish all our fears o f failure, “ God is able.” And what is He able to do? To bestow “grace,” and not only to bestow “grace” ' but to "make grace abound,” and not only to “make grace abound,“” but to “make all grace abound.” And to whom will God make all grace to abound? To you, i.e., to the bountiful, cheerful giver. Nothing more surely narrows down the measure o f grace that we receive than our niggardly giving (cf. Luke 6:38). Note how the similar wonderful promise o f Phil. 4:19 is found in the same connection with generous giv ing. And for what purpose does God make all grace abound ? “ That ye, having always all-sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work.” Gc/d does not bestow abundant grace, upon us that it may
terminate with ourselves, but that we may abound in work for others. God intends that we shall have abounding add sufficient life at'all times and in everything. How poor most o f our lives appear when meas ured by the standard o f this verse. Tuesday, March 12 . 2 Cor. 9 : 9 -ii. By God’s making all grace to abound toward us, and our consequently having always all sufficiency in everything, God’s promise ■through the Psalmist, “ He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the p oor; his righteousness abideth forever,” is real ized (Ps. 112:9),. The Bible abounds in promises-to the chegrful giver. While we should sow bountifully, after ali it is God who “supplieth seed to the sower.” That is, He is the one who puts in our hands the means to give hilariously, furthermore, it is He who supplieth “bread” for eating (the word translated “ food” means the act o f eating rather than food ).” I f we sow as He provides He will supply and multiply seed for sowing and increase the fruits o f our righteousness. If we do not sow He will cease to supply. The more we give- the more God will increase our power to give. In this way we will be “ enriched in everything unto all liberality.” This liber ality will work through us,' the givers, thanksgiving to God on the part o f the recipients. Wednesday, March is. 2 Cor. 9 : 12 - 15 . This giving to the needs; o f the saints does good in two ways: (1) It “filleth up the measure o f the wants of the saints.” That of itself would be a sufficient reason for bountiful giving, but it is not the only reason, nor .the highest 1 reason. (2 ), It “aboundeth also through many thanksgiv ings unto God.” It brings honor and glory unto Him through the many thanksgivings it occasions (cf. Heb. 13:15). The saints in Jerusalem, when the saints in- Corinth had been proven by this ministration to their need, would glorify God for two things: (1) “ The obedience” o f the “con fession” of the saints in Corinth; (2)
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