CHRISTIAN GIVING - C. I. SCOFIELD (2 Corinthians 8)

CHRISTIAN GIVING - C. I. SCOFIELD (2 Corinthians 8)

8:1 In 2 Cor. 8, 9, the apostle sums up the Christian doctrine of giving. It may be thus summarized:

(1) It is a “grace,” i.e. a disposition created by the Spirit (8:7). 

(2) In contrast with the law, which imposed giving as a divine requirement Christian giving is voluntary, and a test of sincerity and love (8:8–12; 9:1, 2, 5, 7) 

(3) The privilege is universal, belonging, according to ability, to rich and poor (8:1–3, 12–15. Cf. 1 Cor. 16:1, 2). 

(4) Giving is to be proportioned to income (8:12–14. Cf. 1 Cor. 16:2). The O.T. proportion was the tithe, a proportion which antedates the law (Gen. 14:20). 

(5) The rewards of Christian giving are (a) joy (8:2); (b) increased ability to give in proportion to that which has been already given (9:7–11); (c) increased thankfulness to God (9:12); (d) God and the Gospel glorified (9:13, 14).