Rewards for Christian Giving
Devotions for Growing Christians
Rewards for Christian Giving
2 Corinthians 9:8 - And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having everything that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9.
Christians are supposed to give from the heart. Love, not the desire for rewards, should be the motive and the driving force behind Christian giving. The idea of “getting something in return” or the attitude of "What's in it for me?" isn’t true Christian giving. But now that we've stated that well-known fact, we should also note that the Bible talks about rewards for Christian giving! The Bible very definitely states that giving is a "good deal"! The fact that Christians are not to give for ulterior motives doesn't mean that God doesn’t reward us for generous giving! While the basic motive for giving shouldn't be rewards, nonetheless there are rewards for faithful Christian giving. In 2 Corinthians 9 at least seven rewards for giving are mentioned.
1 Corinthians 8 stresses principles for Christian giving. The Corinthian church was called on to give to the needy church in Jerusalem. (See 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.) Although the context is about the giving of money, the application can be extended to all areas of Christian giving - our time, our talent, and our treasure.
Then the very next chapter lists at least Seven Rewards for Christian giving.
1. You will receive unlimited blessings
One of the rewards of giving is seen in verse 6: You will receive unlimited blessings. There is no ceiling or cut-off to this return on our investments. Even the most lucrative schemes or sweepstakes in this world have limits to their purses, but not so with Christian giving.
The amount of blessing that we reap is limited only by how much we sow. (See Luke 6:38.) The proper sowing attitude is not just "sow big," but "sow on the basis of blessings." This is a more precise translation of the word that is rendered "bountifully" in some translations. To sow "on the basis of blessings" means that we should be involved in doing things that will bring help and happiness to other people. Giving help to the student who has unfortunately missed some classes, or to a mother struggling with several young children, or to planning a happy surprise for a lonely senior citizen - this is sowing "on the basis of blessings."
Let's not give sparingly (v6) or hold back in a stingy way, but rather let's give purposefully and willingly and cheerfully (v7). And let’s sow on the basis of blessings. Then we ourselves will reap on the basis of blessings. We will receive unlimited help and happiness in reward. These blessings may be material or tangible, but they may also be intangible. The reward of unlimited blessings is not proven by statistics but by your own experience. Try giving, and you will see for yourself!
2. Your needs will be met
The next reward of giving is found in verse 8: Your needs will be met. God is willing and able to supply us with everything necessary to meet our personal needs, as well as the needs of our ministry of giving. Notice that the Scripture does not say that the Lord will give us all that we want! God knows us better than we know ourselves. He promises to meet our true needs - but not our many selfish wants.
3. You will always have resources for giving
The promise of verse 8 definitely extends to our needs in Christian service: You will always have resources for giving. We can never use the excuse, "I don't have anything left to give!" God promises to supply all the needs of every ministry He gives us. Notice the heavy emphasis on the "all's" of God's promise: All grace - in all things - at all times - with all needs - for all good works! What an amazing promise! Verses 10-11 emphasize this promise of a constant supply for giving. “You will be supplied with plenty of seed for sowing” (v10) and “you will be enriched in everything for all liberality” (v11). In Christian giving, the well will never run dry!
The word "grace" (v8) in this context certainly indicates that God is thinking of more than just material needs. What do you need? More strength to get through this college semester, or more patience with your roommate? More understanding in your relationships with your children, or with your fellow-workers at your job? More love for your spouse? More courage to stand for Christ? More help for the ministry that God has given you? (And more tolerance for Christians who don't want to help in your ministry?!) More tenderness with people who "rub you the wrong way"? More ideas for your fellowship group? Well, it's all there! Everything you need as an individual child of God and anything you need for the area of responsibility which God has given you is available. But remember that we're talking about rewards for Christian giving, not handouts for miserly, hoarding Christians who are unwilling to share their time, talent or treasure.
4. Your record of giving will endure forever
Another reward of giving is stated in verse 9: A record of your giving will endure forever. Now that's something to think about! The records of famous heroes and celebrities of this world will be forgotten, but the record of simple Christians who gave of themselves will be remembered - forever! Verse 9 quotes Psalm 112:9: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; His righteorusness endures forever.” This verse refers to the actions and rewards of the godly person. "His righteousness" refers to the righteous deeds of the godly believer. These righteous deeds will remain forever, because they will be published in eternity. Your Christian giving of time and effort and your unsung "output" may not be recognized or appreciated now, but it will be for all eternity. So keep your sights set on retirement in heaven, not in Florida or Arizona! "You can take it with you" when it comes to your Christian giving! In fact, all believers will take their record of Christian giving with them into eternity. It's a sobering thought that for some Christians the record may be slim, and there may not be much of a reward.
5. Your returns will be according to the Law of Multiplication
Another reward of giving emerges from verse 10: Your returns will be according to the natural law of multiplication. The law of multiplication goes beyond the principle of "you reap what you sow." God has designed the laws of nature so that you reap more than you sow! This incredible principle is just as true and miraculous in the spiritual realm as in the natural.
What a fantastic reward for those Christians who think they have only a "drop in the bucket" to give! The law of multiplication says that one drop can be multiplied into bucketfuls! Give a "drop" of your limited ability to the evangelistic project in your church or on your campus, and a whole community of people can be blessed. Give a "drop" of your busy schedule to share the gospel with a neighbor or a co-worker, and a whole life can be turned around for God. Give a "drop" of your hard-earned cash to the printing and distribution of just one Bible in a foreign country, and the living Word of God can be read and obeyed for years - by many believers! Yes, our limited giving can continue to ripple out in ever-widening circles - even after we've left this earth. The Lord of multiplication can do unbelievable things with our few little seeds. But the law of multiplication can't even begin to operate if we fail to sow any of our seed.
6. You contribute to the glory of God
A sixth and further reward for giving comes to us from verses 11-13: You are given credit for contributing to the glory of God. The results of the Corinthians' giving to the church at Jerusalem went far beyond the mere supplying of the needs of the Christians there. Thanksgiving actually ascended to God in heaven, and these thanksgivings brought glory to God.
Here's where Christian giving differs significantly from the giving of this world's charitable organizations. While we can be thankful for, and contribute to, some of these good organizations that assist worthy causes, we must recognize that they do not operate specifically in the name of Christ. Giving in the name of Christ not only meets needs, but carries with it the reward of contributing to the glory of God. Normally we don't think of this reward when we make an encouraging phone call to a hurting brother or sister, or when we give a few bucks to help a kid go to a Christian camp. But as thanksgivings ascend to God from the recipients of our giving, we are given credit for contributing to the glory of God! And when all is said and done, giving glory to God is really what our lives are all about! Investment in God's supreme theme and in His grand plan and purpose for this universe is a super reward!
7. Others will pray for you
A seventh and final reward of giving is mentioned in verse 14: Other will prayer you! How many people are praying for you right now? Some Christians are only mentioned in prayer when they're sick, or elderly, or backslidden! But as we begin to give of ourselves, we find that a solid foundation of prayer support begins to materialize beneath us. How important it is for believers to have a broad backing in prayer, especially when we realize that we’re involved warfare against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). Every little bit of Christian giving not only meets the needs of others, but builds prayer protection and support for the giver in return.
Verse 15 is certainly a fitting conclusion to the section of Scripture on Christian giving. All the rewards for Christian giving are only possible because Jesus Christ gave Himself for us. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
- Dave Reid