2 Corinthians 9:6-15

 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever
sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has
decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves
a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all
things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9As it is written:    “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness
endures forever.” 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your
righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous
on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to
God.   12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s
people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because
of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men 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. 14And in their prayers
for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has
given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

MEDITATION
1. God gave His Son because he “so loved the world”.  There is no higher motive
for Christian giving than the example God set for us when he gave his only
Son.  Can we give like he did – freely and sacrificially, even delightfully?  Yes,
in fact, Corinthian church is one fine example.  It was to that church that
Paul wrote of the highest motive for giving.  Our money is an extension of
ourselves, he argued.  If the money we give isn’t delightfully given, it’s because
we aren’t delightful givers.  The only way we’re going to give delightfully is
to give out of LOVE.  Any other motive leaves one joyless.  In the long run,
joyless giving does little good for Christ’s kingdom – and nothing for us (see
1 Cor 13:3)
2. Paul reminded the Corinthians and us of the blessings that make Christians
giving such a joy.  (1) Giving benefits us materially and spiritually. (vv8, 10)
(2) Giving permits us to bless others.(vv11,12)  (3) Giving stimulates others
to pray for us.(vv13, 14)
3. Do I give compulsively or with careful planning?  Am I a joyful giver, or a
reluctant one?  Have I received the blessings Paul talked about?  In all the
causes that I donate, is there a need for adjustment?

Personal Note:
We plan something that is important to us.  If I do things out of compulsion, it is not really out of love.   I recall the joy of giving when God ask me to trust in Him to provide.  The blessing I receive from giving is peace of mind, completeness, and surprising blessings from God.  When I give to a cause, I would pray for that cause since I invest a part of me in it.  The cause that receive monetary support would pray for us, and in turn, we are all blessed.  I would like to plan more strategically to give more in order to receive more joy from giving.  My goal is to increase our % giving for next year.  This would need to be driven by the love of God.

1 Corinthians 14:6-17

 6Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to
you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of
instruction? 7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the
flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a
distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who
will get ready for battle? 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words
with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be
speaking into the air. 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world,
yet none of them is without meaning. 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of
what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to
me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in
gifts that build up the church.   13For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue
should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my
spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with
my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will
also sing with my mind. 16If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one
who finds himself among those who do not understand[e] say “Amen” to your
thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17You may be giving
thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

Meditation
1. When Christians gather we minister to each other.  In prayer, praise, teaching,
and sharing, God can and does use what we say to build up His church.
Therefore, spiritual gifts are not given for the benefit of the possessor.  The
purpose of all spiritual gifts is to build up the whole Body of Christ and those
the Body serves.
2. What gifts do I have and what can I do to serve fellow-believers and help
build up the church?

Personal Note:
The purpose of the worship service is to build up the body of Christ, which is collectively every followers of Christ joining in worship together.  There are any gifts that one may have to build up one another.  Such gifts may include: administration, craftsmanship, evangelism, faith, giving, helps, hospitality, knowledge, leadership, mercy, pastoring, serving, teaching, wisdom, and worship...

Personally, I enjoy giving resources to people in need, serving one another in practical manners, and encouraging one another in following the way of Jesus Christ.