A "ropeholder" is one who tries to support those who are going through encouragement, prayer, personal contact, practical needs, and financial support. All of these are crucial, but a Scripture I read this week really made one of these jump out at me - the blessings of giving.
In 2 Cor. 9, Paul exhorts the Corinthians to follow through on a promised gift to support Christians in Jerusalem. In his instructions, he highlights several important principles of giving. I note them here to encourage the ropeholders and those of you who are supported that this exchange is more than personal. It reflects a God-orchestrated system that is designed ultimately for His glory!
Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.
Principle 1: Faithfulness. Simply put, follow through on your giving commitments. It may seem obvious, but in a world of default loans and bankruptcies, simply writing that check is an act of faithfulness. Your Great Commission workers will especially appreciate your being faithful to send the check at the beginning of the month (or on whatever specified date), so they can plan their budget accordingly.
Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Principle #2: Willingness and cheerfulness. There is no place for manipulation or guilt in a blessed giving heart. As one newsletter update wisely observed, we must seek the will of God in our giving - and then ask for His grace to giving willingly and cheerfully.
Principle #3: Fruitfulness. Also known as the "law of sowing and reaping", this one is often misused by prosperity Gospel teachers. The following verses, however, make clear what is reaped:
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
- Abounding grace. God assures us that we will have sufficiency in having our needs met, so that we are enabled to abound in good works.
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
- Supply and multiplication of seed for sowing. As we give, God will make sure we have what we need to continue to give.
- Harvest of righteousness. God says this will increase as we are faithful when He calls us to give, and we will be enriched to be generous "in every way" - which would include ways that don't involve money.
You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
Principle #4: Thankfulness. Generosity results in thankfulness to God. Interestingly Paul doesn't specify WHO is thankful. The recipient should obviously be grateful, but the giver also can thank God for His provision to give!
By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,
Principle #5: Glory to God. God will be glorified because of the submission and generosity reflected by giving.
while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Principle #6: Prayerfulness. The recipients become prayerful toward the supporters. This deepens the relationships and furthers the glory to God!
Lord, help us to be faithful in radical giving - of our time, our talents, our treasures, our hospitality. Help us willingly and cheerfully look for ways to sow bountifully. Thank You that You guarantee sufficiency - not excess - and the continued ability to be generous. We pray for fruitfulness in good works and righteousness. We pray that all of our giving overflows in thankfulness to You, glorifying You. Cause us to be submissive to You in our giving, becuase of our confession of Christ. Let Your surpassing grace be upon us to give generously.
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