2 Corinthians 8-13: “God Loveth a Cheerful Giver” (September 18-24)

Titus reads Paul’s epistle in Corinth (from the Bible Video “Reconciled to God“)

If you’ve ever participated in fundraising for a charitable cause, you’ll recognize some of the techniques Paul uses in his second epistle to the Corinthians. He reminds them of the blessings they have received from God—temporal and spiritual (2 Corinthians 8:7, 9:8-11, 15). He assures them that the money will be administered responsibly and will all be given to the intended recipients (2 Corinthians 8:16-23). He informs them that people in other locations have been generous (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). He even tells them that he has bragged about their generosity and doesn’t want him (and them) to be embarrassed (2 Corinthians 9:2-5). Along the way, he teaches important principles about caring for the poor and needy:

1. It starts with a willingness to share. (See 2 Corinthians 8:12.)
2. We shouldn’t give more than we can reasonably afford. The goal is not to impoverish ourselves but to see that everyone’s needs are met. (See 2 Corinthians 8:12-15. See also Mosiah 4:24-25, 27.)
3. Generosity brings blessings. Sow sparingly, and you’ll reap sparingly. Sow bountifully, and you’ll reap bountifully. (See 2 Corinthians 9:6.)
4. God is pleased when we give cheerfully, not grudgingly. (See 2 Corinthians 9:7. See also Moroni 7:8.)

God wants us to be both generous and happy. Here’s a post about giving with the proper attitude:

• Willing Hearted

“I caught you with guile.”

We can be clever and thoughtful in sharing the gospel without being deceitful or manipulative.

Jesus told His apostles He wanted them to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). He praised Nathanael as being “an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile!” (John 1:47).

Guile means slyness or cleverness, and it generally implies deceit. Jesus was saying that Nathanael was an open book. He had no hidden agenda. He could be trusted.

In one of his epistles to the Corinthians, Paul uses the word “guile” in a way that appears to contradict this interpretation. “I caught you with guile,” he writes (2 Corinthians 12:16). The context strongly suggests that he is speaking ironically, quoting his detractors to show how ridiculous their accusation is. But it’s also true that Paul was clever in the way he shared the gospel. For example, in Athens, he used the people’s anxiety about a possible missing diety as the launching point for a speech about the true God (Acts 17:22-31). He was honest and kind, but he was also innovative and astute.

When Ammon had the opportunity to preach the gospel to King Lamoni, he asked for a commitment before beginning his presentation. “Wilt thou hearken unto my words?” he asked. The king replied, “Yea, I will believe all thy words.” Mormon adds, “And thus he was caught with guile” (Alma 18:23).

There was no deceit here. Ammon was “wise, yet harmless” (Alma 18:22). He had no hidden motive. But he was smart enough to know that the king needed to be more fully on board before hearing such a paradigm-shifting message.

Disciples of Jesus Christ need to be thoughtful about how they share the gospel. See the following blog post:

• What Does It Mean to Be “Caught with Guile?”

“My grace is sufficient for thee.”

Paul tells us that he glories in his infirmities. That sounds paradoxical! How can you be grateful for your weaknesses?

He specifically calls out one unnamed weakness which has afflicted him for years. He calls it “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan,” and he tells us that he asked God three times to make it go away.

God’s response to Paul is both loving and challenging: “My grace is sufficient for thee,” He said, “for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

When Moroni worried about his own weakness in writing, the Lord gave him the same feedback, but with some additional instruction:

If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Ether 12:27

It’s never fun to become aware of our weaknesses, but it’s an essential part of the process of growth that the gospel requires. As we strive to follow the Savior, He lovingly shows us the ways we need to improve, and He helps us turn those weaknesses into strengths. Here are two blog posts about this process:

• “My Grace Is Sufficient” – Ether 12:26-27
• Three Ways the Savior Turns Our Weaknesses Into Strengths – Ether 12:27

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