II Corinthians 9:15

II Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. Christmas is coming. Have you got your wish list ready? But let’s stop and think. Whose birthday is Christmas? That’s right, it’s Jesus’ birthday. So isn’t it odd that we give gifts to each other on Jesus’ birthday?! How would you feel if you had a birthday party and all of your friends came to the party with gifts for each other? You would feel left out, wouldn’t you? But Christmas is even more unusual. Do you know Who gave you the best Christmas present ever? What gift did God give to mankind at Christmas? That’s right. God Gave us Jesus Christ to be our redeemer. So this is it: Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, but Jesus is our gift at Christmas from God, the Father. And as our verse says, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift”! Can I hear an “amen!” on that?!

II Corinthians 9:6,7

II Corinthians 9:6,7 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. Paul’s point is that if you have more money, you can give more money. For example, if a farmer wants to reap a harvest, he must put plenty of seed into the soil. If he doesn’t plant the seed, he won’t reap a harvest. And so it is with giving. If we are tight with our money, God will not bless us. That doesn’t mean that we should be poor all of the time. We should work and earn money so that we can take care of our family and give to God’s kingdom. And remember, God loves a cheerful giver.

II Corinthians 8:13,14

II Corinthians 8:13,14 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: When we give 10% of our money to God, that is an equal sacrifice for everyone. If someone had $10 how much is his tithe? That’s right, $1. But is someone had $100 how much is his tithe? That’s right $10. So when the second man is giving $10 is he giving more than the first man? No not really.  That’s because the second man has more to give from. He could give $20 or $30, but the first man only has $10 to give from. Our verse says that each of us have different abilities and each of us should give according to our abilities, not according to what we have or don’t have. Giving to God is not about equal giving; it is about equal sacrifice.