Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
01/26/2016, by John Kincaid
Lesson 858: How Should I Give? Pt.3
In 2 Cor.9:1-5, Notice how Paul compliments the Corinthians:
“There is no need for me to write to you.” “I know your eagerness to help.” “I’ve been bragging about you to the Macedonians.” “Your enthusiasm has motivated them to action.”
Now they needed to finish what they started.
And yet, Paul did not want them to feel pressured into giving (Holman HCSB says extortion).
It would not be a gift if Paul had to threaten them and take it by force.
Paul had written to this church earlier, explaining what he expected and why:
1 Cor.16:2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
We should feel as eager for the offering time as we do for the sermon, the anthem, hymns and all the other parts of the worship service.
We need to prepare all week for worship, then participate.
Every aspect of worship should be designed to honor God and to bless the worshipers.
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.