Lesson 3

Written By Harmon Lewis

SIDE EFFECTS OF GIVING:

The giver of gifts should be advised that the act of giving may result in the following side effects:

  • unexpected personal blessings

  • the receiver of the gifts is helped

  • God is glorified

  • bonds of Christian fellowship are strengthened

Side effects are known to be permanent.  For assistance dealing with the eternal consequences of giving, contact pastor Lewis as soon as possible.

The giver is blessed

2 Corinthians 9:6-11: “6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

  1. God promises whoever sows __________ will also reap __________, and whoever sows __________ will also reap __________. 

    • Proverbs 3:9-10, “9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” 

      • God’s blessings __________.

    • Malachi 3:10-12, "10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.”

      • How does God assure us the floodgates will be opened?

      • Verse 12 tells us the giver enjoys the __________ of the nations.

  1. The Christian’s decision to give is made in the __________.

  2. Why is this such a blessing? 

  3. What might lead a person to give “reluctantly” or “under compulsion”? 

  4. We can afford to be generous because God’s grace __________ gives us the __________ and __________ to do good works.

  5. In verse 9 Paul quotes from Psalm 112.  The “he” is the believer who responds to to grace of God described in Psalm 111.  __________ is a blessing such a giver receives.

  6. The giver is made rich in __________ __________.

  7. The giver becomes the object of __________.

People are blessed

2 Corinthians 9:12:“12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 

  1. The __________ of others are supplied by the giver. 

  2. The giver causes people to __________ in many __________ of __________  to God.

  3. Give some examples of “expressions of thanks” a person might give after they have had their needs met. 

God is praised

2 Corinthians 9:13:“13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 

  1. Our giving praises God because we are __________ what God has asked us to do.

  2. God is praised because the giver is proof that God’s people __________ what they __________.

  3. God is praised because the giver is proof that God __________ all people.

The Bonds of Christian Fellowship are Strengthened

2 Corinthians 9:14-15:“14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 

  1. Giving touches the __________.

  2. How does giving bring the giver closer to the person in need? 

  3. How does giving bring the person in need closer to the giver? 


Further Study

Ministers of Christ:  A Commentary on 2 Corinthians, especially the comments on chapters 8 and 9 Johann P. Meyer, (Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1963). 

The People's Bible: Second Corinthians,  especially the comments on chapters 8 and 9 *David J. Valleskey, (Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1992).  

The Stewardship Call *Waldo Werning,  (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1965).  

The Power of Pure Stewardship  *Carl W. Berner Sr.(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1970).  

Harmon Lewis
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