Giving in the Spirit of Christ Brings Rewards of the Holy Spirit

2 Corinthians 9

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.

• We should have a willingness in the ministry of Jesus Christ.
• We should hold to the testimony of Jesus.
• Joining with other Christians in the ministry adds encouragement.
• The rewards of the Holy Spirit come by being generous in the Spirit of Christ.
• We give to the poor through His righteousness.
• We are sowers of the Gospel seed and look for fruit of the Spirit of Christ to blossom.
• Our ministry should strengthen fellow Believers and cause thanksgiving to God.

We should have a willingness in the ministry of Jesus Christ. “Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.” 2 Corinthians 9:1-2 When it comes to caring for the needs of other Christians, more than enough has been said about doing that, and can be read about all through the Bible. It is a fruit which blossoms from within us through the Spirit of Christ. Our willingness to live by the Gospel is an inspiration to other Christians.

Even when I wear articles of clothing with the name of Jesus printed on it, I know it will minister to other Believers. The mere name of Jesus written on my clothing will encourage other followers of Christ. The ministry in the name of Jesus means so much more to Christians than it does to those who do not yet know Him.

We should hold to the testimony of Jesus. “Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.” 2 Corinthians 9:3-4 It’s a good thing to work side-by-side with other Believers to encourage their ministry in Jesus Christ. However, the times we live in today are dominated by people who do not want the followers of Christ joining together to minister in the name of Jesus. They live by the mark of the beast. Even so, our pride and boasting are in those who are steadfast in the Spirit of Christ. Unfortunately, those steadfast Christians are the target of those who want to discourage devotion to Jesus. Even then, we hold to His testimony.

Joining with other Christians in the ministry adds encouragement. “Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.” 2 Corinthians 9:5 The goodwill we do in the name of Jesus should not be from a feeling of having our arm twisted and forced to do it. Anytime we are able, we should join with other Christians to make the ministry a pleasant experience in Christ. The “democratic” society of the mark of the beast do what they can to discourage joyfulness in Holiness.

The rewards of the Holy Spirit come by being generous in the Spirit of Christ. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 We should not give beyond the joy in our heart, if we give beyond our capacity then an ugly attitude and spirit would result. God loves a joyful giver. Today, the thing that has the power to form our emotions and feelings makes every act of Christian goodwill a curse.

We continue to lift up the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we can. I wear clothing with the name of “Jesus” printed, I witness to telemarketers about the need for Jesus, and I wear a wooden Cross around my neck. On rare occasions, I’m able to help the needy in other ways. The most important thing is that when we give abundantly from the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit grows abundantly in us through Holiness. If we are stingy in the Spirit of Christ, then the rewards of the Holy Spirit are sparse within the soul.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. ” 2 Corinthians 9:8 Our abundance and sufficiency are in the grace of God for doing good works in the Spirit of Christ.

The ministry of Jesus Christ has nothing to do with a community frame-of-mind nor serving humanism rooted in the mark of the beast. The renewing of our mind is to prevent us from being conformed to this world. The ministry of Christ is described in the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

We give to the poor through His righteousness. “As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” 2 Corinthians 9:9 The giving to the poor which Jesus Christ did, was according to the righteousness of God. His presence on this earth served one purpose, to reconcile us to God by the remission of sin, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 Jesus was not a walking and talking advertisement for the disbursement of the Red Cross, Salvation Army, the Goodwill, etc.

We are sowers of the Gospel seed and look for fruit of the Spirit of Christ to blossom. “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,” 2 Corinthians 9:10 Jesus Christ supplies seed to the sower, and the sowers are those who share His Gospel. He is the Bread of Life which we share as food for the soul, and the perpetual prayer is for the seeds to blossom with the fruit of the Spirit of Christ. Jesus gave the parable of the sower in Luke 8:4-15.  “…while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11 Whatever we do, the prayer is for thanks to be given to God in the name of Jesus.

Our ministry should strengthen fellow Believers and cause thanksgiving to God. “For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,” 2 Corinthians 9:12 The ministry of Christ supplies the needs of fellow followers of Jesus Christ, as well as brings thankfulness to God. “…while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,” 2 Corinthians 9:13 The giving which we do is part of the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the righteousness of God, which is Holiness within us. When we give, others should know we do it in the name of Jesus to the glory of God.

“…and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthins 9:14-15 The indescribable gift of God is the Holy Spirit, which comes through Salvation by Jesus Christ. As the grace of God flows through us towards others, our prayer is that they would desire Jesus Christ.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11