Chapters 8 and 9 give the principles and
promises of Christian giving. New Testament giving is
church giving. Paul uses the churches as examples, not
individual Christians. In chapter 8:18,19,23,24, it is
the churches that are emphasized. Christian giving is
church giving, bringing tithes and offerings to the
local church, which is god's storehouse. The phrase
"storehouse tithing" does not appear in the Bible, but
God's plan for Christian giving today is through the
local church. This was the very same direction Paul gave
the church at Corinth in I Corinthians 16:2. On the
first day of the week (the Lord's Day) the believers
(the Lord's people) were to bring tithes and offerings
to the church (the Lord's house). The words "lay by him
in store" in I Corinthians 16:2 have the same meaning as
"storehouse" in Malachi 3:10.
Some Christians today say, "I don't bring my
tithes to the church. I let the Spirit tell me where to
send them." Does the Spirit instruct us apart from the
Bible? These Christians are making two mistakes: (1) The
tithe is the Lord's, not their own; and (2) the Spirit
tells us in the Word that our giving should be done
through the local New Testament church. Spiritual giving
is Bible-based giving. If a Christian does not bring
tithes and offerings to the local church, then his heart
is not in the local church (Matthew 6:21). Individual
giving outside the local church may exalt men and win
recognition for them, but local church giving exalts the
Lord and supports His work.
Christian giving does not depend on material
circumstances so much as spiritual convictions. All
giving should be done from the heart. We should never
give with a grudging spirit, but rather out of a heart
of love for what the Saviour has done for us. The
Christian who gives grudgingly will not receive a reward
for it; neither will he give consistently, because he
does not have victory over his pocketbook. The church at
Corinth looked upon their giving as a grace (note
chapter 8:1,6,7,9,19 and chapter 9:8).
In chapter 8:10-15 Paul tells us that our gifts
should be measured proportionately. Tithing is the only
fair way to give. Paul gave the principle of
proportionate giving in I Corinthians 16:2 and here he
reemphasizes it. Tithing robs no man; it is fair to the
rich and poor alike. It permits all men to give and
receive God's blessing.
The tithe is 10% of all our income. This is
already God's part. We do not really give back to Him
until after the 10%, and we are robbing God if we do not
give the tithe. A man can never be called spiritual if
he does not tithe, because he is robbing God.
In chapter 9 Paul shares the promises the church
at Corinth can claim if they are faithful in their
giving to God. He tells us in verses 1-5 that our giving
will bring blessing to others. In verses 6-11 he says
giving will bring blessings to ourselves. Finally, in
verses 12-15, Paul says giving will bring glory to God.
We cannot read these verses without gaining a new
attitude toward giving. In the Christian life, there is
no such thing as "material" and "spiritual," in the
final analysis. All that we have comes from God, and all
that we have must be used for spiritual ends. Paul
teaches that giving is not a burden, but a blessing; he
shows us that true Christian giving enriches the life
and opens the fountains of God's blessings.
In chapter 12 Paul gives at least four proofs of
his apostleship. His revelations from Christ are given
in verses 1-6. His thorn in the flesh is seen in verses
7-10. We do not know what this thorn was, but the best
suggestion is an eye ailment. Paul was supernaturally
blinded when converted (Acts 9:9), and it is possible
that some weakness remained even in later years.
Galatians 4:15 and 6:11 ("with what large letters")
suggest eye trouble. This would have been a trial to
Paul both physically and emotionally, and could honestly
be called a "thorn in the flesh.".
There are several practical lessons to be
learned from Paul's thorn experiences. Spiritual
blessings are more important than physical blessings.
Paul thought he could be a better Christian if he were
relieved of his weakness, but just the opposite was
true. People today who preach that sickness is a sin, or
a result of sin, would have a hard time explaining this
chapter. It was Paul's infirmity that caused him to be
strong spiritually.
The second practical lesson we learn is that
unanswered prayer does not always mean the need is not
met. Sometimes we get a greater blessing when God does
not answer our prayers. God always answers the need,
even though it may seem He is not answering the prayer.
The third lesson is that weakness is strength if
Christ is in it. Take time to read I Corinthians 1:26-31
for proof. Remember David's small sling and Moses' rod.
The fourth lesson to be learned is that there is
grace to meet every need. Grace enabled Paul to accept
his weakness and to glory in it. Paul knew that his
weakness would bring glory to Christ. That is all that
mattered to him (see II Corinthians 4:7).
Madam Guyon
