Our reading today begins with what is probably the most in-depth biblical teaching on what is the nature of true repentance, as opposed to a worldly and fleshly remorse (2 Cor. 7:5-13). I think as we read this passage, we get a profound sense that godly sorrow and true repentance over one’s sin is a fruit of God’s Spirit and God’s Word working in our lives. It begins in God’s grace and ends in God’s gracious purposes being realized in one’s life. It ends with a human heart eager to do what is right before the Lord, and it ends with a heart open to loving and trusting relationship with others.

Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow

Worldly sorrow over one’s failures, on the other hand, keeps the focus on ourselves, and causes us to sink further into our guilt and despair. Worldly sorrow produces regret and keeps us in our regret. Godly sorrow produces regret, but then leads us to turn to God for forgiveness. He then gives us grace through a cleansed and more open heart to a fuller experience of His indwelling Spirit. In the end, we are grateful for the godly sorrow and regret because of the fruit produced in our lives.

This is what Paul is rejoicing over in 2 Corinthians 7. He had to write a difficult letter to the Corinthians, where he admonished them for some ungodly behavior. He was worried that they would respond with worldly sorrow. This wouldn’t bring the Corinthians closer to God, and could of closed their hearts to Paul and his ministry in their lives. But most of them responded “as God intended” (2 Cor. 7:9). The majority of the Corinthian Christians were eager to do what was right before God, and they opened their hearts wide to the Paul and his co-worker, Titus (2 Cor. 7:11-16).

Graced Heart………..Graced Giving

In 2 Cor. 8 & 9, we have Paul’s most in-depth teaching on Christian tithing and giving. Paul roots Christian stewardship in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus. In 2 Cor. 8:9, he writes: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich”. Paul is making a collection among different churches in the Roman Empire to help the poorer Jewish believers in the Jerusalem Church. He doesn’t want to command the Corinthian Christians to give, but he appeals to Christ’s grace and love for them. He wants them to give out of grace, just like the less-wealthy Macedonian churches have done (2 Cor. 8:1-5).

In 2 Cor. 9:6-15, Paul expounds on the great blessing Christians can experience when they graciously give themselves to the Lord, and then give of themselves to each other. Paul teaches that no one can out-give God or exhaust His grace. He begins this section with the great principle of Christian stewardship: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Cor. 9:6). Paul then says that every believer should decide in his/her heart to give, not under compulsion or reluctance, for God loves a cheerful giver. God wants us to give out of a graced heart.

When we are generous, it meets the needs of fellow Christians and others. It produces greater spiritual unity among Christians and also results in thanksgiving and worship towards God (2 Cor. 9:12-15). It produces a community that is alive in God’s Spirit and where God’s glory is magnified. And when God’s glory is magnified, the powers of darkness are defeated, and God’s kingdom goes forward in this world.

QOTD: Are you sowing sparingly or generously your treasure, talent and time?