July 19, 2022 – Tuesday
2 Corinthians 9:14 NIV
14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
Comments
As powerful as the above verse is, it is even more so in context. Thus, here is some context, 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others 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.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!
Looking at verse fourteen in context, Ellicott’s comment makes a great deal more sense where he says of Paul, He seems half lost in his anticipations of what will follow when he hands over the contributions of the Gentiles to the “saints” at Jerusalem. Their utterance of praise and thanksgiving will, he is sure, be followed by a yearning prayer of intercession for their benefactors. I would only disagree with Paul seeming half lost, instead I believe it is the Holy Spirit speaking clearly about what the Corinthians can expect from their Jewish brothers in Christ. What can they expect? They can expect not only praise and thanksgiving for all their help, but prayers for you from them, intercessory prayers.
Have you ever considered the people you help may be praying for you? Interceding for you in prayer? It had never crossed my mind, but reading what Paul has written to the Corinthians here I would not be surprised. And this is all about the grace, favor, God grants us so that our hearts are open to giving. And about this giving Matthew Henry had the following to say, If we had more faith and love, we should waste less on ourselves, and sow more in hope of a plentiful increase. Can a man lose by doing that with which God is pleased? He is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and of temporal good things. In the verse for today, Paul writes the Corinthians will receive the prayers of their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem because of the surpassing grace God has given you. That is where Matthew Henry wrote of God, He is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and of temporal good things.
When we give, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible says of Paul, The apostle supposes that the exercise of a charitable disposition is to be traced entirely to God. God is the author of all grace; he alone excites in us a disposition to do good to others. Consider what it likely means when you are moved to give by God and for whatever reason, you decide or refuse to do so. Who is the author motivating one to be selfish with what they have instead of sharing liberally? We know who moves us to ignore God, it is our own selfish prideful sinful selves and a little help here and there from Satan.
I can do no better in conclusion than to quote Matthew Henry again, If we had more faith and love, we should waste less on ourselves, and sow more in hope of a plentiful increase.
Bottom Line: You know the answer to this question, Can a man lose by doing that with which God is pleased?
Prayer: Almighty God, Heavenly Father, Let me see clearly in my life what pleases You and what does not. Help me to always chose what pleases you. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek