Articles
Grace into Opportunity of the Flesh
Grace into Opportunity of the Flesh
I continue to think about Paul's concept of the contribution for the saints in 2 Corinthians. He used many different words in writing about this collection: 'the collection' (1C. 16:1), 'fellowship' (2C. 8:4; 9:13; R. 15:26), ministry / service (diakonia) (2C 8:4; 9:1, 12, 13), bounty / abundance (2Cor. 8:20), gift (eulogia) (2 Cor. 9:12, 15), service (leitourgia) (2 Cor. 9:12), alms (Acts 24:17), offering (Acts 24:17. Here in 2 Corinthians he refers to it as 'grace' (2 Cor. 8:1, 4, 6, 7, 9). Yes, this is the same word as in 'we are saved by grace'.
The proverb of 9:6 was a widely known and quoted concept. In Proverbs we read:
24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
26 The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. (Proverbs 11:24–26)
Paul would write in the Galatian letter:
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap (Galatians 6:7).
This proverb does have a rather literal outcome in the agriculture world. The farmer cannot control the weather, the pests that could devastate his crops, or war that might destroy the whole country. What he could control was how much seed he would sow. It would be silly to think that a bushel of seed in the barn is better than 10 bushels in the field! Trying to hold on to the one he had would soon reduce the farmer into poverty and want. All things else being the same, if he sows sparingly, he will reap sparingly!
In our selfish me-centered world, people have actually turned this into an opportunity of the flesh as they attempt to use the promises of God to make themselves rich in worldly possessions. They hijack one scripture after another and pervert the promises of God.
People, however, miss several aspects of this as they apply this to their own economic situation. First, they take this as a 'law' and not a proverb. Second, they make such 'law' binding upon God himself: "if I give this much God is BOUND to return an abundance".
The reaping of such generosity would be in abounding in every good work, not necessarily an abundance of wealth for personal consumption! (vs. 8) Their harvest would be unto righteousness, not worldly greed (vs. 10). They would be enriched in every way to be generous, not selfishly wealthy (vs. 11).
People often deceive themselves in these kinds of situations. They think more highly of themselves than they ought and attribute good motives to their actions when such do not exist. They give not out of generosity but out of greed! What do you expect to reap from your generosity? What do you expect to receive in return for your contribution to such a cause? What is the real motive in your generosity?
Hugh DeLong
