Last week, we learnt that the kingdom of God operates on the principle of giving and receiving, and that giving is a prerequisite for receiving … “Give and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38). Jesus said, “it is more blessed to give” (Acts 30:32). This week, we will rightly divide 2nd Corinthians 9:7, which emphases on how giving should be done.
Paul informs us that there is a right and wrong way of giving… giving must not be done grudgingly or of necessity. (2Cor 9:7).
‘Lupe’ is the Greek word translating to ‘grudgingly’; it also denotes sorrow, pain, grief, annoyance, affliction, of persons mourning. While Anagke is the Greek word from which necessity originates, other meanings of the word include calamity, distress, straits and necessity or pressure imposed either by circumstances or by law of duty regarding one’s advantage, custom or argument.
Put differently, above text reads: “Give not out of Lupe (sorrow, pain, grief, annoyance) or out of Anagke (calamity, distress, straits, necessity, pressure imposed either by the circumstances, or by law of duty regarding to one’s advantage, customs or argument.)”
The saga of Ananias and Saphira is a classic example of giving out of necessity or pressure imposed by circumstance. God’s word rendering of Acts 4: 32, 34 and 35 declares, “The whole group of believers lived in harmony. No one called any of his possessions his own. Instead, they shared everything. None of them needed anything. From time to time, people sold land or houses and brought the money to the apostles. Then the money was distributed to anyone who needed it” (GW).
The status quo was “No one called any of his possessions his own — they shared everything.” Ananias and his wife Saphira, in their bid to conform to the existing state of affairs or due to pressure imposed by the circumstance which they lived in, sold their belongings. Rather than bring the proceeds to the Apostles like the rest of the brethren, they withheld part of the proceeds, lied about it and were slain.
Right Way of Giving
2nd Cor 9:7 opens with a model on how giving should be done. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give. God’s word rendering, says, “Each of you should give whatever you have decided.” Not what some preacher or prevailing circumstances dictate. In giving, what matters is a willing heart. Paul alluded to this, saying, “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not” (2nd Cor 8:12).
Continuing, 2 Cor 9:7 declares, God loves a Hilaros (cheerful, joyous) giver. ‘Hilaros’ also denotes ‘promptness to do anything.’ Otherwise stated, the above verse reads, God loves (welcomes, entertains, and is fond of) he who is prompt to give. Thus, if you are a person who is prompt to give, God is fond of you!
Note that the amount you give will determine the amount you receive in re!turn (Luke 6:38 NLT) The value of a man resides in what he gives. So when you give, give substantially- He multiplies your seed sown (2 Cor 9:10). Hallelujah!!!
By Emmanuel Emeke Asiwe
