2 Coríntios 9
George MacDonald · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 9
MacDonald - We should remember this with regard to agriculture—the farmer does not reap the exact amount of grain he sows, but much more proportionately. So it is in Christian giving: it is not a question of receiving back exactly what one has given but receiving back far out of proportion to the amount of the gift. Of course, the return is not so much in money as in spiritual blessings (Believer's Bible Commentary) Andrus You have heard me speak very critically of health/wealth theology. The view is that God wants you healthy and He wants you wealthy, and if you’re not both, then you simply don’t have as much faith as you should, or you simply haven’t “invested” in the right ministries (please send your check immediately, thank you very much!). In health/wealth theology God is obligated to deliver the goods; He becomes a utilitarian genie who grants every wish to the faithful. I think it is one of the most dangerous and damaging heresies of the 20th century. And yet I want to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water. You see, nearly every heresy is a legitimate truth taken too far, or a biblical idea that has been distorted. The reason the health/wealth advocates are able to dupe so many people is that they are actually quite close to the truth. The Scriptures do teach that God rewards faithful giving. So, how do we distinguish what Paul teaches here from the run-of-the-mill TV health/wealth con man? (See his excellent sermon which elaborates on sowing and reaping) David
2 Coríntios 9
MacDonald - Here we have a promise that, if a person really wants to be generous, God will see that he is given the opportunity. (Believer's Bible Commentary) And God is (present tense - continually) able (dunateo - supernatural power) to make all (pas) grace (charis) abound (perisseuo) to you, so that (hina - purpose) always (pantote) (present tense - continually) having all (pas) sufficiency (autarkeia) in everything (pas), you may (present tense - continually) have an abundance (perisseuo - more than enough) for every (pas) good (agathos) deed - The present tense indicates our God is continuously able! (see the encouraging truth that God is Able, cf Heb 7:25+. Play the modern worship song Our God is Able). Grace (charis) in this context refers especially to God's ability to continually give material provisions to supply all of our material needs, even to the point of overflowing (perisseuo). Having all sufficiency means being "self-sufficient" in a God honoring, spiritual sense in that they have what is necessary for giving and are fully content with what they have. (cf only other use - 1Ti 6:6+ = "contentment"). Notice also the all (pas)(pun intended) inclusiveness of the related Greek words (nothing is left out!) - all (pas)...always (pantote)...all (pas)...everything (pas) ...ever (pas)! Clearly this is an "all-inclusive" passage (one worth memorizing and warranting serious meditation!) And we can be confident that every good deed on earth will be rewarded in heaven at the Bema Seat of Christ (2Co 5:10+). It is no coincidence that the only other use of agathos in the Corinthians letters is in reference to good deeds recompensed by Jesus in 2Co 5:10+! THOUGHT - Continually keeping in the forefront of our mind (cf "Vertical Vision") the vital truth that every Good Deed will be graciously recompensed at the Bema Seat of Christ (2Co 5:10+), it follows that EVERY believer should have as his or her HIGHEST AMBITION, as our summum bonum, a heart desire to please the Lord (2Co 5:9+), knowing that some the "deeds" we do in this life are "good", pleasing to Him and eternally fruitful while others are "bad, worthless and of no eternal value. Brian Bell - Do you read here “God will use you up & then throw you away!” I don’t think so…this is packed with blessings! (Grace Giving to the Glory of God!)
2 Coríntios 9
MacDonald - As a result of that giving they would receive fruit by way of eternal reward. As God increased their ability to give, and they increased in generosity, the rewards would increase accordingly. (Believer's Bible Commentary) “If you give because it pays, it won’t pay!” -- R G LeTourneau