“God Loveth a Cheerful Giver”

All Posts Archived Lessons New Testament Old Testament Book of Mormon Doctrine & Covenants Search “God Loveth a Cheerful Giver” CFMCorner Sep 15, 2023 16 min read Updated: Jun 24, 2025 CFM: September 18–24 2 Corinthians 8–13 Videos and Podcasts Video/ Podcast ​Lesson Extension ​Additional Materials Scripture Central 2 Corinthians 8-13 Study Guide Follow Him 2 Corinthians 8-13 Part 1 , Part 2 Transcripts Line Upon Line 2 Corinthians 8-13 ​FHE Lesson Teaching with Power 2 Corinthians 8-13 ​ Don't Miss This 2 Corinthians 8-13 ​ ​CFM New Testament 2 Corinthians 8-13 ​Unshaken 2 Corinthians 8-13 ( Part 1 , Part 2 ) ​ ​The Interpreter Foundation 2 Corinthians 8-13 ​Study helps by Jonn Claybaugh ​Teaching Helps with John Hilton 2 Corinthians 8-13 ​ ​Ponderfun 2 Corinthians 8-13 ( not yet posted ) ​Talking Scripture 2 Corinthians 8-13 Show Notes ​Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class , New Testament The Epistles of Paul, 2 Corinthians: Notes , Slides , Handout arnt22_presentation .ppsx Download PPSX • 2.40MB Resources and Insights for this Week's Lesson This week, we complete Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. This letter was written around 55-56 AD from Macedonia, about a year after his first letter. Be sure to review the Corinthian Cultural Insights in our previous lessons and the Supplemental info for Understanding the Epistles of Paul and Others, as this lesson builds from these foundations. Paul speaks quite a bit about Macedonia in the sections we are studying this week, particularly commenting on the generosity they offered to support Paul's ministry and to help with a collection that the Saints were gathering to support the Church in Jerusalem. A little context pertaining to this history can be helpful for one to get a better understanding of Paul's letter. In previous lessons we discussed the political tensions that were rising in Jerusalem between the Romans and the Jewish/ Christian populations in Jerusalem ( The Fall of Jerusalem ; A Temple in Flames The Final Battle for Jerusalem, and the Destruction of the Second Temple ; Did Jesus really predict the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem? ; The Flight to Pella ) . We also discussed some of the historical timelines of Paul's ministry in Acts 16-21 and Acts 22-28 . This may be helpful information to review as we examine Paul's letters, as it was during this time that those tensions were escalating. Many in Jerusalem were struggling with significant poverty and persecution. The Macedonian community provided substantial aid and support during these difficult times and Paul reflects on their example in his letter to the Corinthians. Macedonia was historically a region in northern Greece, see map below. Under the rule of King Philip II and his son Alexander the Great , Macedonia gained prominence during the 4th & 3rd century BC, spreading Hellenistic culture and influence throughout the Ancient world. By the time of Paul's missionary journeys, Greek culture, language, and religion held significant cultural and political sway. Macedonia's diverse economy, driven by agriculture, mining, and trade, played a pivotal role in supporting various cultural and religious activities. Paul's interaction with Macedonia began with a vision that prompting his journey to Philippi , where he established the first Christian community in Europe ( Acts 16:9-10 ). This was where Paul met Lydia, a seller of purple cloth and a worshiper of God (probably from Jewish-Phoenician descent). Through Paul's faithful missionary efforts, Lydia became the first European Christian convert. Additionally, in Philippi, Paul and his companions encountered a demon-possessed girl who was being cruelly exploited. At that time, women were frequently considered expendable and they were used and abused for various purposes. One such purposes involved heavily drugging these women to the point of intoxication. Their owners would market them as “priestesses,” describing their inebriated state as a form of Πύθωνος (pythonos) “divination”. Tragically, these individuals would frequently be poisoned to the point of insanity or death. In reality, this was a highly disturbing and immoral practice, but it was very lucrative and it held traditional cultural significance, so the practitioners and communities mysticized and glamorized the abuse to the point of idolatry, so much so that many women and families even aspired to these positions. Similar situations are described in Delphi, where a Pythian Priestesses would be exposed to gasses or other types of intoxicating substance. (Note the etymological relationship between the Pythian priestess and the Greek pythonos that is intentionally used in the Greek. This word was used to describe a branch of divination that was attributed to the legends of Apollo and the Python ) The intoxicating agent that was used would typically cause the oracle to babble incoherently. The “Priests” would then “translate” the woman's incoherent chatter as “divine revelation” and they would exchange the message for substantial profit. ( The Oracle of Delphi- Was she Really Stoned? ) When Paul healed the woman in Philippi, in the name of Jesus, it freed her from her captivity, much to the chagrin of her owners who had profited significantly from her fortune-telling abilities. This resulted in severe persecution for Paul, and it even landed him in prison where he and his companion Silas were beaten. Many incredible miracles came out of these trials, causing several individuals to be converted to Christ and his doctrine. These profound encounters in Philippi deeply impacted the individuals and communities of Macedonia, and because of their gratitude and love for the Savior, the community made significant sacrifices to support Paul and his ministry efforts. ( Paul & Silas: Preaching in Philippi , What we learn from Paul/Silas prison in Phillipi Greece .) This story and history offers valuable perspective as we consider our motivations for giving, whether that is financially or through service. Generosity motivated by gratitude and love is far more powerful and rewarding than serving because one feels guilty or obligated Despite the many challenges that Paul faced, his ministry in Macedonia laid the foundation for Christianity's growth. The Epistle to the Philippians reflects the strong bond between Paul and the Philippian church in Macedonia, and he describes the significant financial support that the community provided, enabling him to help others. It is important to recognize that while Paul was receiving financial assistance from the Macedonians, he was not using it for himself, he worked as tentmaker in Corinth to provide for his needs, and he likely contributed much of his own earnings as well. Other notable Macedonian cities, including Thessalonica and Berea, were also visited by Paul, resulting in the establishment of core Christian centers in Europe. References in Paul's letters, such as 2 Corinthians, highlights the generosity and partnership of the Macedonian churches in supporting his missionary and humanitarian efforts, contributing significantly to the spread of the Gospel in the Roman world. ( Where is Ancient Philippi? ) Overview: In this chapter, Paul addresses the topic of financial generosity and giving, particularly in the context of a collection for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem. Scripture Major Topics/ Themes ​Summary ​Cross-References, Videos & Resources 2 Corinthians 8 ​ ​ ​ INT ​ Verse 1-5 ​ The Generosity of the Macedonian Churches ​ Paul begins by commending the generosity of the Macedonian churches (Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea). These churches, despite their own poverty and affliction, demonstrated a wealth of generosity. Paul emphasizes that this community gave themselves to the Lord, and the fellowship of their ministry was voluntary, rooted in a deep love for the Lord and their fellow believers. ​HistoryofMacedonia.org, The Doctrine of Belonging ​ Verse 6-7 ​ The Corinthians' Participation Encouraged ​ Paul encourages the Corinthians to follow this example, to excel in the grace of giving, just as the Macedonians had done. He reminds them that have been abundantly blessed, abounding in faith , utterance , knowledge , and diligence , and they should abound in grace also. ​Helping the Poor and Distressed , Are We Not All Beggars ​ Verse 8-9 ​ The Example of Christ's Giving Paul points to the ultimate example of giving: Jesus Christ. He highlights that Jesus, though rich , became poor for the sake of humanity's salvation. Paule advises that Christ's example is a powerful motivation for all believers to be generous. ​Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God ​ Verse 10-12 ​ Willingness and Equality ​ Paul emphasizes that willingness to give is expedient , but it should not be coerced. He suggests that giving should be done according to the readiness of one's will , one's means, and it should be done with the purpose of promoting opportunity and equality among believers. ​The Responsibility for Welfare Rests with Me and My Family ​ Verse 13-15 ​ Sharing Abundance and Avoiding Hardship Paul explains that the goal is not to burden some while easing others but to achieve a fair distribution, one that is beneficial to both the giver and the receiver. Paul argues for a sense of fairness in this collection. The Corinthians' abundance can help those in need/want in Jerusalem, thus preventing hardship among the saints there. In verse 15, he quotes from Exodus 16:18 , illustrating that God's provision is designed to result in a sharing of resources. ​The Sanctifying Work of Welfare , ​ Verse 16-24 ​ The Trusted Messengers ​ Paul introduces Titus , Paul's companion who served as a Bishop ( Titus 1:7 ). Titus was assigned the responsibility of collecting and delivering the Corinthians' contributions to Jerusalem. Paul speaks highly of the Cor