September 7, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 6-9

In these chapters, Paul wrote of the Corinthians, indeed all believers, as “the temple of God” and the manner in which we must always be ready to repent of sin: “godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret” (7:10).

The apostle also uses the generosity of the churches in Macedonia to encourage the Corinthians to contribute faithfully to an offering for the beleaguered saints in Jerusalem. Paul further explains that people’s gifts are “acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have” (8:12). And as further encouragement, he adds, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (9:6). Remember the widow’s mite of Mark 12 and Luke 21? We give to him who has given so much to us.

God, whose giving knows no ending,

from your rich and endless store:

nature's wonder, Jesus' wisdom,

costly cross, grave's shattered door,

gifted by you, we turn to you,

offering up ourselves in praise;

thankful song shall rise forever,

gracious donor of our days. –Robert Lansing Edwards (1961)