2 Corinthians 9:15

‘Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.'

And what is it that achieves all this? It is God's unspeakable gift of His Son, a gift beyond describing, Who through the sacrifice of Himself made all this possible. How great then are the thanks that are due to Him. Through Him He is achieving more than we could ever have dreamed of.

Others suggest that this is Paul's final attempt to motivate generous giving by suggesting that he is expecting the anticipated Corinthian gift to be ‘beyond all imagining'. Still others believe that Paul is describing the miracle of Jewish-Gentile unity or of the worldwide Gospel as proclaimed by Paul. Most, however, identify God's ‘indescribable' gift with Jesus Christ.

Excursus. What Does This Teach Us About Our Responsibility To Give Today?

There are various principles that are apparent from our examination of these two Chapter s.

1) Firstly that we are to give systematically and according to our means (2 Corinthians 8:11 compare 1 Corinthians 16:2). That is we are weekly to set aside our gifts on the basis of how we have prospered, and on the basis of what our genuine needs might be (not on the basis of our greed). It should be noted that there is no suggestion of ‘one tenth'. Although that is a good standard to aim at in the first place, it is nowhere said to be binding on a Christian. Some might be unable to afford a tenth, others could well afford much more than a tenth, and fail if they do not do so. The important point to note is that according to Jesus the test of our giving is not so much how much we give as how much we have left (Mark 12:41).

It should be noted that Israel in fact gave considerably more than a tenth. For them that was only a beginning. On top of tithes came the offerings of various kinds, which were plentiful (e.g. Leviticus 1-7 which again are only a beginning. Offerings were multitudinous). The tithe was simply a means of providing for the physical needs of those who administered the Law and looking after the requirements of the cult, and of laying up provision for the poor, the needy and the stranger (Deuteronomy 14:28).

Two standards are in fact laid before us, that of the Macedonians which was sacrificial and went beyond what they could afford (2 Corinthians 8:1), in the same way as the widow in the Temple (Luke 21:34). And the lesser standard applied as a general principle that we give as we are able.

2) Secondly that we are not expected to give in such a way as not to be able to provide for our daily necessities (2 Corinthians 8:12). Those for example with children to care for are clearly in a different position from those who have not. Giving should not hurt our children, although teaching them a certain level of discipline will do them no harm.

3) Thirdly that we should ensure that the needs of all in all churches worldwide are met (2 Corinthians 8:14). Paul defines need as a lack or shortage of life's necessities (1 Timothy 6:8). In the first century this amounted to a want of food, clothing or shelter (2 Corinthians 11:27).

4) Fourthly that our giving should be voluntary and from a generous heart. God loves someone who gives freely and gladly (2 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 8:12). He wants nothing that is given grudgingly. If we begrudge our giving it is time that we re-examined our hearts, or the goal of our giving.

5) Fifthly that our giving is to be an individual matter that is settled in the privacy of our own family circle. ‘Each should give what he has decided in his heart to give.' Each is placed first for emphasis. Each should give, but the question is then, ‘how much?' And the answer is that we should not be influenced by how much others give, or bound by what the church thinks we should give, but only influenced and bound by how much our own heart decides that we should give, taking into account the teaching of His word.

6) Sixthly, our giving should result from a firm resolve. It should be "as each has purposed". Proaireomai, found only here in the New Testament, means "to choose deliberately" or "to make up the mind about something." Paul says that giving is to be based on a calculated decision made with considerable thought. It is not a matter to be settled lightly or impulsively. Giving is a ministry that requires as much thought and preparation as preaching.

7) Seventhly our giving should not be publicised abroad. It should be ‘decided in the heart' and given accordingly. What we give should arise simply be between us and God, and because we want to give in the will of God and to the glory of God and not for the glory of ourselves or benefit. Thus paradoxically do we lay up treasures in heaven.

End of excursus.