In this chapter I will attempt to prove to you by the Word of God that giving is a part of holiness, or holy living. We will dwell on one chapter especially, II Corinthians 9. Just as the ninth chapter of I Corinthians confirms tithing in the New Testament: the ninth chapter of II Corinthians confirms that giving is a part of holiness, or righteousness. This entire chapter is talking about money. I know of no other chapter in the Bible quite like this one.

The apostle Paul begins the chapter by commending the Corinthians for their zeal in giving in verses one and two.

In verses three through five he appeals to them to live up to the boasting of them that he had done to others.

There is also a good lesson for today's church in verses three through five. Many evangelists and visiting singers or speakers have not had their needs met because a neglectful pastor has passed the offering plate without properly preparing the people to give.

I know of an evangelistic party who traveled 500 miles one way to get to a church.

Their bus got only five miles per gallon of fuel. In addition to spending over $100.00 for fuel, this party of thirteen had eaten two meals in restaurants on their way. The church was full and sinners were converted. The pastor, when announcing the offering, told the congregation that he didn't even know if this party of thirteen needed an offering, but they would receive one anyway. Handing the $69.00 that came in the offering to the leader of the party, he told him he would have to answer to God for how he spent it. Obviously, they spent much more than that just getting there.

This same group was in another church which was packed with people, some very expensively dressed. One man had on a pair of $1700.00 cowboy boots, and yet the pastor had to try three times to raise an offering of $100.00. These people who professed high holiness standards needed to be taught that giving is part of holiness.

If we really believed verse six of Chapter 9, it would change our giving habits. A very definite law of God and of life in general is that we will reap according to how we sow.

I will never forget one experience I had in giving. A needy family had visited our church. The Lord impressed me to give them some food. I went home and reached into our freezer for some meat for them. As I was reaching over some T-bones I had saved all winter so I could charcoal them on the grill when the weather turned warm again, I reached toward the hamburger, soup bones and liver. God spoke to my heart, "What is that you are reaching over?"

I said, "T-bones." (I knew I was in trouble.)

He said, "Which would you rather have, T-bones, or soup bones and liver?"

I said, "T-bones." That was all he said, but I knew I had lost my cherished T-bones. I gave them away to a family that probably didn't appreciate them like I would. A few weeks later, I received a long distance call from a man who had heard our radio broadcast and was wanting to meet me in one of our local restaurants for counseling, he handed me a twenty dollar bill. I tried graciously to refuse, as I felt a man of God was not obligated to be paid for helping someone. He insisted, and also handed me a brown grocery store bag. It was full of T-bone steaks. I had sown T- bones and I had reaped T-bones. To think that I had almost reaped a whole bag full of soup bones and liver caused much amusement at our house.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Some will use the above verse to say that God does not require the tenth. This chapter is not talking about tithing, but about giving. The word cheerful actually comes from a Greek word from which we get our word hilarious. It's fun to give. It's profitable to give.

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38

God's will for our lives is that we will always have enough money to give to a worthy cause.

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 John 3:17

Now here is where the righteousness comes in.

Notice that the man who gives is counted as being righteous. And if that doesn't convince you, notice the next verse.

Your righteousness in the area of giving is increased when your gifts are increased. Your gifts are increased because God multiplies back to you. What a program!

Some would teach that prosperity causes people to backslide, but as you finish reading this ninth chapter of II Corinthians, you will find that the blessings of God will not make you backslide, but instead will make you thankful or humble. See verse 11. If you backslide because God blesses or prospers you, then you had very little character to begin with.

People to whom you give will pray for God to bless you. See verses 12-14. Our church is actively involved in supporting foreign missions. In addition to sending literature in seven different languages from our church offices, helping to support thirteen missionaries, supporting pastors and evangelists in Kenya and Uganda, East Africa, and the Philippines, and building churches in foreign countries, we personally travel to other countries conducting pastors' and evangelists' seminars and preaching to the lost. I receive letters daily from foreign countries stating that they are praying for me. This is God's plan. Those who have the finances are to support those who do not. Those who receive those finances are to pray for those who contribute funds to them.

Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 2 Corinthians 9:13-14

Remember, your holiness is lacking a great deal if it has not touched your finances.