Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(2Co 9:13) “Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;”  Experiment: as in “to test”. For the believer, life holds many such test of applying the teachings of the gospel to life’s situations. The result is the glorification of He Who gave His life to purchase our salvation.

(2Co 9:12) “For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;”  The right result of this action of giving; more importantly of this purpose of ministry – the glorification  through praise to the Lord of glory, salvation, and care.

(2 Cor 9:8) “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you… (11) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.”  Take careful notice of that first phrase in Verse Eleven, “Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness,…” By God’s grace He will bless one in “everything” who takes the step of faith in giving in His Name.

(2Co 9:7) “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,…. (8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you;…. (10)  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)”  As I look back, I must confess that many times I was not wise with my money. But, in one very significant way I was: in faithfully giving both my tithe and then above in the support of missions. The Lord has ever met all my needs and beyond. God’s Word is always, always true.

(2Co 9:8) “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you;… (9)  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.”   The parenthesis statement gives the proof text as to the Lord rewarding the faith of the giver. Notice the reward of faithful giving goes far beyond a material return. He or she is given an eternal blessing!

(2Co 9:8) “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”  You cannot out-give God: “Give in My Name and you will be blessed ‘in all things’.”  Notice that in blessing us, it is not truly a reward, for we owe Him our very lives; but a matter of “grace”: unmerited favor. Praise His Name.

(2Co 9:7) “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”  Our Lord looks upon the heart of t hose who do Him service. And remember, to minister to others in His Name is to do Him service. True service is not because one has to, nor is forced to do it. True service has a joy in itself, the result of a thankful heart.

2Co 9:6  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Here is a principle well worth grabbing hold of by faith: “You cannot out-give God.”  Amazing to me that all we have comes from Him. Yet, He has decreed to reward those who give in His Name, who trust He will meet all their own needs!