Bible Questions #5522-5526

By Joyce Webb

II Corinthians Chp 8 Vs. 1-24,—– Chp. 9:1-15

(There was not much to put into questions in these chapters.)

Vs. 1,2, 3, 4 Paul tells the believers at Corinth—-that the believers in Macedonia—have had a lot of trouble—-and things have been hard for them.

And yet, the Macedonia believers’ faith in God has given them joy.

Even though they did not have much to give in an offering —-for the believers in Jerusalem—they wanted to have a part in the offering sent to them

Vs. 7- Paul tells Corinth’s believers—-You have had much faith,— you have very good speakers in your groups,—- and you have shown much love to us.

I want you to be part of the ministry of giving, too.

I am not saying that you must do it—I am encouraging you to do it as an act of love.

5522. Vs. 9 “We know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ—-though he was ______________ (in heaven)—-he became _____________(on earth)—-for our sakes—–so that—through his being poor we could become ______________.”

Vs. 10 (A year ago) you are the ones who suggested that an offering be sent to help the believers in Jerusalem.

Now is the time to do it. You were willing then—so now is the time to do it.

5523. Vs. 12 First we have a willing h____________ about something and then we do it.

5524. A person should give—according to what he _______ and not according to what he does not ___________.

Vs. 13 I do not mean that you should give so much to help the burden of others—-that you suffer from giving more than you can afford–or have.

Vs. 14 Now you seem to have extra to give. Later, maybe you will need help. Now you help them. Maybe later, they will help you.

Vs. 15 In this verse—Paul is remembering the time in the Old Testament when the people gathered manna.

They were told to gather only what they needed for that day.
They were not to gather extra to hold over for the next day. If they did—that extra manna would — go bad and be rotten.

No one was to have more than they needed. And no one was to have less than they needed.

Everyone was to have just the right amount of manna they needed for that day.

Vs. 16-24 Paul said—The offering has been given to Titus to take to Jerusalem.

Another man, who has been chosen by other churches and is known to be honest—-has gone with Titus—to take the money safely to Jerusalem.

This way —no one can blame someone—of not being honest with the money.

Chapter 9
Vs. 1–5 When we were in Macadonia—we told how proud we were of you and your desire to send an offering to the believers in Jerusalem.

I have sent men from Macadonia to you—to see if you are ready with your offering.

I did not want to come to you with men from Macadonia to collect the offering —-and then find the offering was not ready to send.

I want it to be an offering—given willingly. I don’t want it given because you feel you have to do it.

Vs. 6 Remember —“He who sows (plants, gives) sparingly (only a little)—-will reap and harvest only a little. He who gives generously—a lot—will reap and harvest—a lot.”

5525. Vs. 7 Every man should give according to his own h_____________.

Not to give with a grudge (hard feelings, feelings that he really does not want to—but feels he must give).

Let him give only from a willing heart.

5526. “For God loveth a c____________________ giver.”

Vs. 8 God is able to make grace abound (come) to you. So that you will have all you need in all things.

May you do good works.

Vs. 9 Paul quotes Psalms 112:9,10 “He has given to many, he has given to the poor, His righteousness is forever.
Now, he ministers–gives— seed to the one who sows (plants)—for bread for your food.

He makes the seed multiply and grow—-and it increases and grows your “fruits” of righteousness.”

Vs. 11—15 Paul uses a lot of fancy words to say—that by giving to others in their need—-we bring blessings to ourselves.

God sees what we do and blesses us.

——————————————

These two chapters help to show us how we should give to others.

Our giving should not be done because we feel we “have to do it”.

Our giving should be because we want to give it.

We should not give more than we can afford to give.

Do not give so much that you put yourself in “need” —and not have enough to take care of your own needs.

Offerings should be what you can give of “extra” beyond what you need.

If you can only afford to give a few dollars—then just give that.
But if you know you can give $100.00—without hurting yourself—then you can be generous and give it.

I knew of a lady who was poor. But she would feel sorry for people and she gave away money she needed for her own food.

Then she could not buy food for herself and she went without.

One time, she gave an offering and put it on a credit card —and she did not have the money to pay the credit card—- and it kept adding interest and she owed more and more.

God does not want a person to give like that.

That woman should have just given maybe a dollar or two.

Let someone else who makes a lot of money—give the bigger offering.

I think that we should be generous— and give as much as we can to help others—-but a person needs to use good sense.

God does not expect you to go without food to give to others.

You might—if it is your own family you are trying to help—but be reasonable —and realize what you are able to do —and what you can not do.