Charitable giving is an important aspect of the Christian life. In 2 Corinthians 8-9, Paul outlines several principles that are important considerations for how and why Christians should be generous with their money. Here are some of the most important principles:
1. Charitable giving is enabled by God’s grace. Paul calls the Macedonians' willingness to give to poor in Jerusalem "grace" that God bestowed on them (8:1). He subsequently called the Corinthians to abound in "this grace" as well (8:7). When God opens his people hearts to be generous to others, the credit goes to him as a reflection of his grace.
2. Charitable giving must be rooted in the gospel of Christ. Paul places the gospel at the foundation of the Corinthian offering for the Jerusalem poor. He writes in 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." Not only do all of our monetary gifts pale in comparison with this indescribable one (c.f. 9:15), but all our giving must be rooted in the soil of God’s gift of his Son for us (c.f. Isaiah 9:6; John 3:16).
3. The impetus for charitable giving can come from other Christians’ willingness to give out of their affliction and poverty. Paul highlights the Macedonians' generosity as a spur for the Corinthian church. The idea was that if the Macedonians gave out of their poverty and affliction, the Corinthians could give out of their abundance. Paul says, "I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others" (8:8).
4. Charitable giving, while never a matter of compulsion, should be freely offered if one has promised to give. Paul reminds the Corinthians that, "It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it" (8:10-11). Paul is saying that because the Corinthians said they would help, they now ought to do what they pledged. "Prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised" (9:5).
5. Christian offerings should be handled by men of character, and in an upright way before God and the world. Paul expressly notes that he is sending Titus and two other unnamed brothers to help officiate the gathering of the Corinthian offering before he comes. He vouches for the character of each of these men and specifically notes that he is seeking to act honorably, "not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (8:20). One of the reasons deacons must be men of repute is because they handle the offerings of the congregation.
6. Christian giving is a type of sowing (9:6). If a farmer sows seed sparingly, he will reap the fruit of the harvest sparingly. Here Paul specifies that Christians should "sow" their financial gifts to receive the "reward" of serving God and being rewarded by him.
7. Christian giving should not be grudging because God loves a gift that is given cheerfully (9:7). Giving that is Christian must be done with the right attitude. As Philip Hughes has written, "To part with money in a charitable cause and then to grieve over its loss is not to give but to grudge." As in all aspects of the Christian life, God looks on the heart of what we do, and not simply on the outward action.
8. Christian giving not only emulates the God who gives beneficently to all (9:9), but it is also an opportunity for God to supply us with further means of blessing others, that the "fruits of righteousness" (i.e. good works) might increase in our lives (9:10-11). When we give liberally, God is (not always, but) often pleased to give us more in order that we might give more. This seems to be Paul’s point when he writes, “while you are enriched in everything for all liberality” (9:11).
9. Christian giving enables us to fulfill the law of love to our neighbor. This is Paul’s point in 9:12. Christian giving supplies the needs of God’s saints and increases Christian love among brethren. While we may never meet those whom we give to, those we bless nevertheless "long for [us] because of the exceeding grace of God in [us]" (9:14). When we give to others, that will lead to loving prayers being offered to God on our behalf (9:14) from those who were beneficiaries of our grace-based generosity.
10. Finally, Christian giving enables thanksgiving to be given to God (9:11). Ultimately, this is the goal of the Christian life—to bring God glory. Paul specifically highlights that charity gives way to worship and praise. "For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God" (9:12). Worship is the result of Christian generosity, with God receiving glory for the obedience of his people (9:13).
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