So You're a Priest: Addition by Multiplication

This is part 22 of a sermon series through 2 Corinthians. Last week about being a cheerful giver (a hilarious—i.e. unconcerned—giver). The image that predominated in last week’s message was the sower broadcasting seed without undue concern about the ultimate disposition of each individual seed.

A change in how we give—whether we are giving grace, time, attention, money, or something else—does not come from a change of mind, but rather a change of heart. Last week I said, “Our attitude towards giving is determined by how much we trust God with the circumstances of our lives. Where and when do you think God let you down? Could it be that God’s plan and your plan were different? Could you give God another chance?”

What would it take to trust God more completely?

2 Corinthians 9:10-15

Commentary

v10-11 This verses parallel each other. Consider:

“he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food” vs “you will be made rich in every way”

“[he will] supply and increase your store of seed” vs “you can be generous on every occasion”,

and

“[he] will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness” vs “your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God”

supply and increase. More literally, provide for and multiply. The heart of the secret for God’s provision is right here: seed multiplies by being sown; seed multiplies by being buried in the ground and dying (John 12:24).

v12-15 See in these verse examples of the multiplication of God’s provision: the overflow of expressions of thanks (v12); praise (v13); changed hearts (v14).

Application

A common lament among parents is the lackadaisical attitude of their children towards money. My father used to grouse, “You think that money grows on trees!” Not every child grows up amid prosperity, but poverty is a learned attitude; many from humble beginnings say, “I didn’t realize that we were poor until I grew up.” In many homes, the children learn to trust their parents for a sufficiency.

God will almost never tell you that you are poor. In most areas of areas of your life, only the world will tell you that you are poor. Jesus’ statement, “You cannot serve two masters” (Luke 16:13) pertains to exactly this. In your life you will either live trusting in your Father in heaven for a sufficiency—not thinking of yourself as poor, and being willing to give freely to others—or you will live cursing God for not giving you what the world has told you is your due. On the one hand, you will be like the farmer, willing to sow his seed, trusting in the God of creation to multiply that seed 30, 60, or 100-fold; on the other, you will be like a farmer, unwilling to sow the seed for fear that he will starve before the harvest comes in.

The one will prosper, while the other will perish. Ironically, each will point to their life and say, “See, I was right about God!” The only thing that can save the second farmer is a change of heart, but a change of behavior must precede the change of heart. The mind must will the trust in God before the heart will see and believe.

Points to Ponder

Where will God tell you that you are poor? (Hint: Matthew 5:3) Why does God call that part of you poor?

Reminder: We’re not just talking about money! We are talking about any blessing God has given you: forgiveness, peace, comfort, prosperity, acceptance, love, mercy, etc.