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Grace for Giving and Faith Work Together

David W Palmer

As we have seen so far in this series of devotional teachings, the benefits of gospel partnership are received by faith. But we have also seen that the giving/sowing is done with the empowerment of God’s grace. Is there a connection between faith and grace? Yes:

(Romans 4:16 NKJV) Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

Here we see the Holy Spirit connecting faith and grace. Faith comes first. Without doubt, faith comes by hearing God’s word—really hearing what he is saying to us deep in our hearts, receiving, believing, and acting on what he says (Rom. 10:17). Faith from and in God’s gracious word enables grace. The specific grace we are looking at is the grace of giving. So, when this joy-filled, cheerful, grace overflows in abundant giving—beyond natural ability—it is definitely accompanied by God-imparted faith for the outcome. Paul describes the full outcome and ramification of this amazing grace:

(2 Corinthians 9:10–15 TPT) This generous God … is even more extravagant toward you. First he supplies every need, plus more. Then he multiplies the seed as you sow it, so that the harvest of your generosity will grow. {11} You will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion, for when we take your gifts to those in need, it causes many to give thanks to God.

{12} The priestly ministry you are providing through your offering not only supplies what is lacking for God’s people, it inspires an outpouring of praises and thanksgiving to God himself. {13} For as your extremely generous offering meets the approval of those in Jerusalem, it will cause them to give glory to God—all because of your loyal support and allegiance to the gospel of Christ, as well as your generous-hearted partnership with them toward those in need. {14} Because of this extraordinary grace, which God has lavished on you, they will affectionately remember you in their prayers. {15} Praise God for his astonishing gift, which is far too great for words!

What is the full outcome?

• God generously opened the way for what followed through his grace on Jesus, who although he was originally rich became poor so we could be rich (2 Cor. 8:9).
• The Saints in Jerusalem were in desperate and genuine need.
• The believers in Macedonia were in “a great trial of affliction … and their deep poverty,” but they gave to the saints in Jerusalem beyond their ability by grace.
• This was an illustration for the Corinthians, and it helped to motivate them.
• Paul sent Titus to impart the same grace to them.
• He did this through preaching God’s word on giving, love, sowing, and reaping.
• God supplied the seed for the Corinthian believers to sow, and supplied bread for them while: “the harvest of your generosity” had time to “grow.”

(2 Corinthians 9:10 NKJV) 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.

• What the Corinthians sowed, multiplied: “abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion.”
• Their priestly ministry of giving supplied what was lacking for others.
• It met the approval of those in Jerusalem—the human recipients of their gift.
• It caused them to give glory to God, because they could see the Corinthian’s full partnership in the gospel with Jesus and other genuine believers.
• Because of this “extraordinary grace,” which God lavished on them, the ultimate receivers became their intercessors in prayer. (An indescribably invaluable service that money cannot buy.)
• Paul concludes, “Praise God for his astonishing gift, which is far too great for words!”