There is a Time for Boasting if it is Done Correctly

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There is a Time for Boasting, if it is Done Correctly.

In this passage, Paul continues to defend his position as the spiritual authority in the Corinthian church.

Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.

1 Corinthians 13:4 NLT
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud.

However

Paul boasted.

There is a time for boasting if it is done correctly.

 

2 Corinthians 10:13-18 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority (continued)
13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. 14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.
15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. 16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 10:13-18 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority (continued)
13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.  

  • Paul only boasted about what had happened within the boundaries of the work God had given him. 

Paul knew that God had given him a job to do.

Galatians 1:1 NLT
1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. 

1 Corinthians 1:1 NLT
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus,

Acts 18 NLT
1 Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.  

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! 10 For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” 11 So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God. 

1 Corinthians 3:6 NLT
6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 

  • Paul knew his ministry in Corinth was given to him by God.

We will limit our boasting to the work God gave us, 

Romans 15:18 NLT
18 Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.

  • Do not boast about anything except what Christ has done through you.

14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

Paul was the first person to share the good news of Christ with the Corinthians.  His opponents visited the church much later, so their claim to Corinth as their territory was empty.

Romans 15:20 NLT
20 My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.

  • Paul knew that he was the first person to share the good news of Christ with the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 4:15 NLT
15 For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.

Paul was defending his spiritual authority in the Corinthian church. (continued)

15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done.

The false teachers in Corinth

2 Corinthians 11:4 NLT
4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

Apparently the false teachers were taking credit for the work Paul had done.  Paul was saying that he would never take credit for something someone else had done.

  • Don’t boast and claim credit for the work other people have done.

Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended.  

1 Corinthians 11:1 NLT
1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Paul wanted the Corinthians to be more mature in their faith.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT
1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. 

After the crisis in Corinth was resolved, Paul could, with the help of the Corinthians, move on to new areas. 

Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

There is a place for boasting if it is done correctly.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT
23 This is what the Lord says:
“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.
24 But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken! 

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 NLT
30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

This doesn’t leave much for us to say about ourselves.

  • If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.

Psalm 78:4
We will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.

Tell what Christ has done for you.

Romans 5:6-11 NLT
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. 

18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. 

Proverbs 27:2 NLT
2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—
a stranger, not your own lips.

Proverbs 26:12 NLT
12 There is more hope for fools
than for people who think they are wise. 

The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT
10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

Matthew 25:23 NLT
23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

  • What people say about themselves means nothing. What counts is whether the Lord says they have done well.

Jacob’s Last Words to His Sons (Part 1)

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Jacob’s Last Words to His Sons (Part 1)

Review:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

 I believe this lesson gives parents and teachers a lot to think about.  You do not have to agree with everything I am saying, but please share with me your reason for disagreeing.

Jacob’s Last Words to His Sons (Part 1)

Genesis 48:21-49:2 NLT
21 Then Jacob said to Joseph, “Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will take you back to Canaan, the land of your ancestors. 22 And beyond what I have given your brothers, I am giving you an extra portion of the land that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.”
49:1 Then Jacob called together all his sons and said, “Gather around me, and I will tell you what will happen to each of you in the days to come.
2 “Come and listen, you sons of Jacob;
listen to Israel, your father.

Examine the Scriptures

Genesis 48:21-49:7 NLT
21 Then Jacob said to Joseph, “Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will take you back to Canaan, the land of your ancestors. 

Jacob was reminding Joseph that God will be with him.

Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT (A promise to Joshua)
6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Hebrews 13:5-6 NLT (The promise to Joshua repeated to all believers.)

5 … For God has said,
“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”
6 So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper,
so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?”

Jacob was also telling Joseph something that would happen approximately 440 years from this point in time.

  • Jacob had matured into a man of faith.

Jacob knew and believed the promise God had made with this father and grandfather.  He remembered and believed his dream at bethel when God had said to him, “The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants.” 

  • Jacob reminded Joseph of the covenant God had made with him (Jacob), his father (Isaac), and his grandfather (Abraham). 

These words would certainly have been encouraging to Joseph.

22 And beyond what I have given your brothers, I am giving you an extra portion of the land that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.”

The same verse in different translations:

Genesis 48:22 New International Version
22 And to you I give one more ridge of land than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.”

Genesis 48:22 Common English Bible
22 I’m giving you one portion more than to your brothers, a portion that I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.”

Genesis 48:22 English Standard Version
22 Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.” 

Jacob’s history does not record any conquest of Amorite land.

This is the only mention of Jacob taking land from the Amorites with his sword and bow.

This verse may be unclear to us.  That’s o.k.

 

What do we know from scripture?  Let’s focus on what we do understand.

Joseph was going to receive something “beyond what Jacob gave to his brothers”.

      1. Technically, there is no tribe of Joseph (although the phrase is used in Numbers 13:11, Numbers 36:5, and Revelation 7:8). Instead, Joseph received a “double blessing” when his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, each had one of the twelve tribes of Judah named after them.
      1. Jacob did purchase property from the children of Hamor (Genesis 33:19) but that was not by conquest.

Genesis 33:18-19 NLT
18 Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town. 19 Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver. 20 And there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel. (“God, the God of Israel.”) 

    1. Jacob gave Joseph a plot of land near Shechem.

John 4:4-6 NLT
4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar (near Shechem), near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there …

Joseph was buried at Shechem.

    1. Joseph’s bones were buried at Shechem.

Joshua 24:32 NLT
32 The bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought along with them when they left Egypt, were buried at Shechem, in the plot of land Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor for 100 pieces of silver. This land was located in the territory allotted to the descendants of Joseph. 

  • Joseph received a special blessing from his father Jacob.

Jacob’s Last Words to His Sons
49:1 Then Jacob called together all his sons and said, “Gather around me, and I will tell you what will happen to each of you in the days to come.

  • Jacob tells each of his sons what will happen to them in the days to come.

Descriptions of his sons included phrases such as:

Unruly
In their anger they murdered men.
Crippled oxen just for sport.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down – who dares to rouse him.
A sturdy donkey.
 A poisonous viper along the path.
A ravenous wolf devouring his enemies. 

Jacob’s words portrayed the future history of each son, seemingly based on their character up to that time.

“Jacob’s words” might be better stated as God’s prophecy.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT)

Jacob was God’s spokesman.

I will tell you what will happen to each of you in the days to come.

Jacob knew his sons.

Proverbs 20:11 NLT
11 Even children are known by the way they act,
    whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

Matthew 7:15-20 NLT
The Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

Predictable outcomes for the behaviors of individuals (and nations).

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NLT
26 “Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! 27 You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. 28 But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the Lord your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 NLT
15 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. 16 For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.
17 “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, 18 then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.
19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Psalm 37:22 NLT
22 Those the Lord blesses will possess the land,
but those he curses will die.

  • Choices have consequences.

Jacob’s words were not limited to the future history of his sons, his words also portrayed, to some degree, the future of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Consequences of parental disobedience.

Children are not punished for the sins of their parents (Deuteronomy 24:16 16 “Parents must not be put to death for the sins of their children, nor children for the sins of their parents. Those deserving to die must be put to death for their own crimes.) but the children would feel the impact of their parent’s sins as a natural consequence of the parent’s disobedience.  Children reared in such an environment would be influenced to practice similar sins, thus experience punishment for their sins.  The effect of a disobedient generation would take several generations to reverse.

Children are not punished for the sins of their parents, but their lives are affected by the sins of their parents.

Exodus 20:5-6 NLT
5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

Exodus 34:6-7 NLT
6 The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,
“Yahweh! The Lord!
The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.
I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
But I do not excuse the guilty.
I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren;
the entire family is affected—
even children in the third and fourth generations.”

Numbers 14:18 NLT
18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.’

Jeremiah 32:18 NLT
18 You show unfailing love to thousands, but you also bring the consequences of one generation’s sin upon the next. You are the great and powerful God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

A parent tends to greatly influence a child’s belief system, from religion to personal values and habits.

  • Parents play a major role in determining a child’s success or failure in life.

Verses we use all the time show that we believe that parents do play a major role in determining a child’s success or failure in life.

Proverbs 22:6 NLT
6 Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 NLT
4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

Psalm 78:4, 6, 7 NLT
4 We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
6 so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.

Luke 6:40 NLT
40 Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

Matthew 10:24 NLT
24 “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. 

2 Timothy 1:5 NLT
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

  • Scripture tells parents to direct their children on to the right path. 

2 “Come and listen, you sons of Jacob;
listen to Israel, your father. 

This is a two-way street.

The parent (Jacob) gives good honest counsel.

The children (sons of Jacob) need to listen and learn.

Proverbs 1:8-9 NLT
8 My child, listen when your father corrects you.
Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace
and be a chain of honor around your neck.

Ephesians 6:1-3 NLT
Children and Parents
1Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” 

  • Scripture tells children to honor their parents.

Paul Defends His Authority (continued)

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Paul Defends His Authority (Ministry) (continued)

Learning, From Paul’s Example, How to Defend Your Ministry.

Defending your ministry.

Knowing that you in fact have a ministry.

2 Corinthians 10:7-12 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority (continued)
7 Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. 8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.
9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. 10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.
12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 10:7-12 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority (continued)
7 Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do.  

We can know that we belong to Christ.

Romans 10:9-10 NLT
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

Romans 10:13 NLT
13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

John 3:16 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 5:24 NLT
24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

This is all a part of God’s plan for us.

Ephesians 1:5 NLT
5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

No one can snatch us away from Christ.

John 10:28-29 NLT
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

  • We can be certain of our salvation. 

8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. 

1 Corinthians 12 NLT
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. …

27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:
first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.

Romans 12:3-8 NLT
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

  • God has given us different gifts (different roles) for doing certain things well. 

But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down.

The responsibility of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church.

Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Build others up

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Ephesians 4:29 NLT
29  Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Romans 14:19 NLT
19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

John 17:23 NLT
23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

  • Aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
  • Our role is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church. 

So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.

Use the gift God has given you.

1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

  • Use the gift God has given you.

9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. 10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away. 

  • Actions can be as forceful as what we say.

12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are!

God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.

1 Corinthians 1:19-21 NLT
19 As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

  • You do not have to be important and “wonderful” to share Biblical truths with other people. Rely on the Holy Spirit to give you the words to say. 

But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

  • Don’t compare yourself with other people. (They are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!)

Jacob Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim

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Jacob Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim

Genesis 48:8-20 NLT
Jacob Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim
8 Then Jacob looked over at the two boys. “Are these your sons?” he asked.
9 “Yes,” Joseph told him, “these are the sons God has given me here in Egypt.”
And Jacob said, “Bring them closer to me, so I can bless them.”,br>10 Jacob was half blind because of his age and could hardly see. So Joseph brought the boys close to him, and Jacob kissed and embraced them. 11 Then Jacob said to Joseph, “I never thought I would see your face again, but now God has let me see your children, too!”
12 Joseph moved the boys, who were at their grandfather’s knees, and he bowed with his face to the ground. 13 Then he positioned the boys in front of Jacob. With his right hand he directed Ephraim toward Jacob’s left hand, and with his left hand he put Manasseh at Jacob’s right hand. 14 But Jacob crossed his arms as he reached out to lay his hands on the boys’ heads. He put his right hand on the head of Ephraim, though he was the younger boy, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, though he was the firstborn. 15 Then he blessed Joseph and said,
“May the God before whom my grandfather Abraham
and my father, Isaac, walked—
the God who has been my shepherd
all my life, to this very day,
16 the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm—
may he bless these boys.
May they preserve my name
and the names of Abraham and Isaac.
And may their descendants multiply greatly
throughout the earth.”
17 But Joseph was upset when he saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head. So Joseph lifted it to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 “No, my father,” he said. “This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”
19 But his father refused. “I know, my son; I know,” he replied. “Manasseh will also become a great people, but his younger brother will become even greater. And his descendants will become a multitude of nations.”
20 So Jacob blessed the boys that day with this blessing: “The people of Israel will use your names when they give a blessing. They will say, ‘May God make you as prosperous as Ephraim and Manasseh.’” In this way, Jacob put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

Examine the Scriptures

Jacob Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim
Genesis 48:8-20 NLT
8 Then Jacob looked over at the two boys. “Are these your sons?” he asked.

Who was asking this question?  Jacob the deceiver (and the deceived).

Genesis 27 Jacob Steals Esau’s Blessing

Genesis 29 Laban deceives Jacob.

His question was legitimate. (Verse 10 states that Jacob was half blind.)

9 “Yes,” Joseph told him, “these are the sons God has given me here in Egypt.” 

  • Once again, Joseph recognized God’s sovereignty.
    (this will be addressed again in verses 17-18) 

And Jacob said, “Bring them closer to me, so I can bless them.”
10 Jacob was half blind because of his age and could hardly see.

Like his father Isaac, Jacob gave this blessing when his eyesight was failing.

Stages of life can generally be predicted. 

So Joseph brought the boys close to him, and Jacob kissed and embraced them. 11 Then Jacob said to Joseph, “I never thought I would see your face again, but now God has let me see your children, too!”

  • In the last 17 years of his life, Jacob was blessed in ways he never expected would happen.

God gave Jacob another opportunity to express his love for his family.

Recognize God’s blessings in your life.

12 Joseph moved the boys, who were at their grandfather’s knees, and he bowed with his face to the ground. 

  • Joseph, the second in command in Egypt, demonstrated great respect to his father.

Exodus 20:12 NLT
12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 

Joseph’s age and position in life did not stop him from showing honor and respect to his father.

This is a great example of practicing a Biblical principle.

13 Then he positioned the boys in front of Jacob. With his right hand he directed Ephraim toward Jacob’s left hand, and with his left hand he put Manasseh at Jacob’s right hand. 

When each hand is placed on a different object, the right hand conveys the higher blessing.

  • Joseph positioned Manasseh to receive the higher blessing.

14 But Jacob crossed his arms as he reached out to lay his hands on the boys’ heads. He put his right hand on the head of Ephraim, though he was the younger boy, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, though he was the firstborn.  

15 Then he blessed Joseph and said,

  • When Jacob Blessed Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph was being blessed.

Notice how much Jacob’s faith had grown over his lifetime.

Genesis 47:9 NLT
9 Jacob replied, “I have traveled this earth for 130 hard years. But my life has been short compared to the lives of my ancestors.”

Notice how Jacob begins this blessing. 

“May the God before whom my grandfather Abraham
and my father, Isaac, walked—

    1. Jacob recognized the God of Abraham and Isaac was:

The one true God.

The covenant maker.

the God who has been my shepherd
all my life, to this very day,

    1. In hindsight, Jacob recognized God as his lifetime shepherd.

Jacob could have written parts of the 23rd Psalm.

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.

3     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

16 the Angel who has redeemed (delivered or saved) me from all harm—

    1. Jacob recognized God as the one who delivered him from all harm. 

Psalm 23
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.

may he bless these boys.

  • Jacob wanted the God of Abraham and Isaac, the God who was his shepherd, and the God who redeemed (delivered) him to bless Manasseh and Ephraim.

Manasseh and Ephraim were being blessed by a man who had matured into a man of faith.

May they preserve my name
and the names of Abraham and Isaac.
And may their descendants multiply greatly
throughout the earth.”

Jacob blessed both sons.

  • Jacob’s blessing was in line with the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

It’s always right to want God’s will to be done.  (“May your will be done.”)

17 But Joseph was upset when he saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head. So Joseph lifted it to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 “No, my father,” he said. “This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”

Since Jacob was half blind because of his age and could hardly see, Joseph may have thought his father mistakenly took Ephraim for Manasseh.

Back at verse 9, I stated that Joseph recognized God’s sovereignty.  Recognizing God’s sovereignty does not mean we always know God will.

  • Recognizing that God is sovereign does not mean we know God’s will.

19 But his father refused. “I know, my son; I know,” he replied.

Jacob knew what he was doing.

After a lifetime of discipline, Jacob was learning that God’s ways are not man’s ways.  God works differently and sometimes in unconventional ways to fulfill His plans.

Jacob learned that in spite of what man attempted to do God had blessed him, the younger.

  • For four consecutive generations the blessing was given to:

Isaac over Ishmael
Jacob over Esau
Joseph over Reuben
Ephraim over Manasseh

“Manasseh will also become a great people, but his younger brother will become even greater. And his descendants will become a multitude of nations.”

  • Manasseh was blessed by Jacob, but Ephraim received a greater blessing.
  • The tribe of Ephraim became a leading tribe in the Northern kingdom, much superior to the tribe of Manasseh.

Note: Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim.  Joshua led the people of Israel into the Promised Land.

20 So Jacob blessed the boys that day with this blessing: “The people of Israel will use your names when they give a blessing. They will say, ‘May God make you as prosperous as Ephraim and Manasseh.’” In this way, Jacob put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

  • Jacob intentionally put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

Note:

Psalm 78:67-71 NLT
67 But he rejected Joseph’s descendants;
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim.
68 He chose instead the tribe of Judah,
and Mount Zion, which he loved.
69 There he built his sanctuary as high as the heavens,
as solid and enduring as the earth.
70 He chose his servant David,
calling him from the sheep pens.
71 He took David from tending the ewes and lambs
and made him the shepherd of Jacob’s descendants—
God’s own people, Israel.

  • Note: Ultimately the tribe of Judah was chosen over the tribe of Ephraim.

Living by Faith, Not by Sight

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Living by faith, not by sight.

Introduction

Jacob was far from perfect.
Jacob made so bad choices in his lifetime, but he is recorded in scripture as a man of faith.

Hebrews 11:2, 21, 39 NLT
2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.
39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.

2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT
7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 

Living by faith, not by sight.

Genesis 47:27-48:7 NLT
27 Meanwhile, the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly. 28 Jacob lived for seventeen years after his arrival in Egypt, so he lived 147 years in all.
29 As the time of his death drew near, Jacob called for his son Joseph and said to him, “Please do me this favor. Put your hand under my thigh and swear that you will treat me with unfailing love by honoring this last request: Do not bury me in Egypt. 30 When I die, please take my body out of Egypt and bury me with my ancestors.”
So Joseph promised, “I will do as you ask.”
31 “Swear that you will do it,” Jacob insisted. So Joseph gave his oath, and Jacob bowed humbly at the head of his bed.
Jacob Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim
48:1 One day not long after this, word came to Joseph, “Your father is failing rapidly.” So Joseph went to visit his father, and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
2 When Joseph arrived, Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to see you.” So Jacob gathered his strength and sat up in his bed.
3 Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me. 4 He said to me, ‘I will make you fruitful, and I will multiply your descendants. I will make you a multitude of nations. And I will give this land of Canaan to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’
5 “Now I am claiming as my own sons these two boys of yours, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born here in the land of Egypt before I arrived. They will be my sons, just as Reuben and Simeon are. 6 But any children born to you in the future will be your own, and they will inherit land within the territories of their brothers Ephraim and Manasseh.
7 “Long ago, as I was returning from Paddan-aram, Rachel died in the land of Canaan. We were still on the way, some distance from Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). So with great sorrow I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath.”

Examine the Scriptures

Genesis 47:27-48:7 NLT
27 Meanwhile, the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly.  

This is all a part of God’s plan for the people of Israel.

Genesis 15:5 NLT
5 Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

  • The people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly. God’s promises were being fulfilled.

The Israelites had to wait for the fulfillment of the second promise.

Genesis 22:17 NLT
17 I will certainly bless you (Abraham). I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. 

Genesis 17:8 NLT
8 And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.”

The time from the promise given to Abram until Jacob comes to Egypt was 220 years.
400 years in Egypt.
40 years in the wilderness.
Nearly 700 years until the Israelites move into Canaan.

28 Jacob lived for seventeen years after his arrival in Egypt, so he lived 147 years in all.

For seventeen years Jacob witnessed the increase of the Israelite community.  Jacob had a glimpse of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and himself being fulfilled.

  • Jacob lived for seventeen years after his arrival in Egypt.
  • Jacob saw a glimpse of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and himself being fulfilled.

29 As the time of his death drew near, Jacob called for his son Joseph and said to him, “Please do me this favor. Put your hand under my thigh and swear that you will treat me with unfailing love by honoring this last request:

Jacob wanted to know for sure that Joseph would follow through on his request.
A very solemn oath. A commitment to follow through.
An ancient Near Eastern custom. 

Abraham did the same with one of his servants.

Genesis 24:2 NLT
2 One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh. 

  • Jacob asked Joseph to honor his last request.

Do not bury me in Egypt. 30 When I die, please take my body out of Egypt and bury me with my ancestors.”

Bury me in the family burial cave in Canaan.

Jacob repeated this request, in more detail, immediately before he died.

Genesis 49:29-32 NLT
Jacob’s Death and Burial
29 Then Jacob instructed them, “Soon I will die and join my ancestors. Bury me with my father and grandfather in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. 30 This is the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite as a permanent burial site. 31 There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried. (Sarah – Genesis 23:1-20)(Abraham – Genesis 25:7-10) There Isaac (Genesis 35:27-29) and his wife, Rebekah, are buried. And there I buried Leah. 32 It is the plot of land and the cave that my grandfather Abraham bought from the Hittites.” 

In Canaan – the Promised Land

  • It was very important to Jacob that he be buried with his father and grandfather in Canaan. 

So Joseph promised, “I will do as you ask.” 

31 “Swear that you will do it,” Jacob insisted. So Joseph gave his oath, and Jacob bowed humbly at the head of his bed.

This request was consistent with God’s will for Jacob.

Genesis 28:15 NLT
15 What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”

  • Jacob’s insistence on being buried with his ancestors was a good indication that he had a basic understanding of God’s plans for the Israelites.

Jacob Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim
48:1 One day not long after this, word came to Joseph, “Your father is failing rapidly.” So Joseph went to visit his father, and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
2 When Joseph arrived, Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to see you.” So Jacob gathered his strength and sat up in his bed.
3 Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me. 4 He said to me, ‘I will make you fruitful, and I will multiply your descendants. I will make you a multitude of nations. And I will give this land of Canaan to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’

Jacob remembered and verbalized God’s promise, made to him many years ago. (Before he was married.)

Genesis 28:10-14 & 19 NLT
Jacob’s Dream at Bethel
10 Meanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. 11 At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. 12 As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.
13 At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. 14 Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants.    …
19 He named that place Bethel (which means “house of God”), although it was previously called Luz.

  • Jacob remembered and verbalized the promises God had made to him.
  • Jacob shared the story of God appearing to him at Luz with his son Joseph.

Psalm 78:4, 6-7 NLT
4 …
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
…
6 so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.

5 “Now I am claiming as my own sons these two boys of yours, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born here in the land of Egypt before I arrived. They will be my sons, just as Reuben and Simeon are.   

1 Chronicles 5:1-2 NLT
1 The oldest son of Israel was Reuben. But since he dishonored his father by sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, his birthright was given to the sons of his brother Joseph.* For this reason, Reuben is not listed in the genealogical records as the firstborn son. 2 The descendants of Judah became the most powerful tribe and provided a ruler for the nation, but the birthright belonged to Joseph. 

*More about this in the next lesson.

For now, this means Ephraim and Manasseh will become heads of tribes for the Israelites.

  • Jacob granted Rachel’s two sons, Joseph and Benjamin, three tribal territories in Canaan out of love and gratitude for Joseph (and Rachel).

***Jacob gave the birthright to Joseph by elevating Ephraim and Manasseh to the rank of firstborn sons, thus giving a double portion to Joseph.

Joseph received a double portion – two tribes. 

6 But any children born to you in the future will be your own, and they will inherit land within the territories of their brothers Ephraim and Manasseh. 

7 “Long ago, as I was returning from Paddan-aram, Rachel died in the land of Canaan. We were still on the way, some distance from Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). So with great sorrow I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath.”

Jacob’s memories of Rachel must have been vivid in his mind as Jacob claimed Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons.

Paul Defends His Authority

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Paul Defends His Authority

Learning, From Paul’s Example, How to Defend Yourself (defend the faith).

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority
1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority

1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—

About Jesus:

Matthew 11:29 NLT
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

  • Jesus described himself as humble and gentle.
  • Paul appealed to the Corinthians with the gentleness and kindness of Christ.

About us:

What does scripture say about the way we should treat others?

1 Peter 3:14-16 NLT
14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.  Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

2 Timothy 2:24-25 NLT
24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 NLT
Paul’s Final Instructions
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

Ephesians 4:1-3 NLT
Unity in the Body
4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Ephesians 4:32 NLT
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 

  • Make your appeal (defending the faith) to others with the gentleness and kindness of Christ 

though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.  

The Corinthians mistook Paul’s gentleness and meekness as weakness.

They accused him of cowardice.

Meekness epitomizes the strength that comes from loving others rather than self.

Meekness is patient endurance of unfair treatment, not bitter or angry, not seeking revenge.

  • Don’t mistake gentleness and meekness as weakness.

2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.

Paul could and would confront wrong behaviors when necessary. (refer to verse 6)

Hebrews 12:11 NLT
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 

Paul’s preference was that the Corinthians Church would become fully obedient to his teachings before he arrived in Corinth.

  • Confront wrong behaviors when necessary, but focus on teaching right behaviors.

Paul Defends His Authority

The underlying principle of Ephesians 6:1-3 or Romans 13:1-5 fits here.

Paul was both a spiritual father and a spiritual authority.

1 Corinthians 4:14 NLT
14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. 

Galatians 1:1 NLT
1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. 

1 Corinthians 14:37 NLT
37 If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself.

Ephesians 6:1-3 NLT
Children and Parents
1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” 

Romans 13:1-5 NLT
Respect for Authority
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

  • Teach obedience, honor, and respect.

3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 

2 Corinthians 4: 4 NLT
4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 

 Ephesians 6:12 NLT
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 

First:
Know the enemy.

  • Know your enemy.

4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 

1 Corinthians 2:1 NLT
Paul’s Message of Wisdom
1 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.

Human ingenuity
Worldly wisdom
Clever methodologies
A show of power
Wealth
Personal influence (athletes or TV personalities)

All of the above will not work against satanic attacks.

What works?

The Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and prayer

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 

Hebrews 4:12 NLT
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Luke 12:11-12 NLT
11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NLT
4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 

  • Use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
  • Use the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and prayer to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.  

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (ESV)

  • Destroy human reasoning and false arguments (not people).
  • Teach truth. 

6 And after you have become fully obedient,

When the Corinthian Church demonstrates loyalty to Paul.

we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

With the support of the church, Paul will deal with the false apostles.

Joseph’s Leadership in the Famine

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Joseph’s Leadership in the Famine

A quick glance at this story may lead some to believe that Joseph was taking advantage of the famine to benefit himself.  This is not the case.  Joseph was looking out for the welfare of the people of Egypt and his actions saved the lives of many, many people.

Qualities of a Good Leader.

Genesis 47:13-27 NLT
Joseph’s Leadership in the Famine
13 Meanwhile, the famine became so severe that all the food was used up, and people were starving throughout the lands of Egypt and Canaan. 14 By selling grain to the people, Joseph eventually collected all the money in Egypt and Canaan, and he put the money in Pharaoh’s treasury. 15 When the people of Egypt and Canaan ran out of money, all the Egyptians came to Joseph. “Our money is gone!” they cried. “But please give us food, or we will die before your very eyes!”
16 Joseph replied, “Since your money is gone, bring me your livestock. I will give you food in exchange for your livestock.” 17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph in exchange for food. In exchange for their horses, flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and donkeys, Joseph provided them with food for another year.
18 But that year ended, and the next year they came again and said, “We cannot hide the truth from you, my lord. Our money is gone, and all our livestock and cattle are yours. We have nothing left to give but our bodies and our land. 19 Why should we die before your very eyes? Buy us and our land in exchange for food; we offer our land and ourselves as slaves for Pharaoh. Just give us grain so we may live and not die, and so the land does not become empty and desolate.”
20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. All the Egyptians sold him their fields because the famine was so severe, and soon all the land belonged to Pharaoh. 21 As for the people, he made them all slaves, from one end of Egypt to the other. 22 The only land he did not buy was the land belonging to the priests. They received an allotment of food directly from Pharaoh, so they didn’t need to sell their land.
23 Then Joseph said to the people, “Look, today I have bought you and your land for Pharaoh. I will provide you with seed so you can plant the fields. 24 Then when you harvest it, one-fifth of your crop will belong to Pharaoh. You may keep the remaining four-fifths as seed for your fields and as food for you, your households, and your little ones.”
25 “You have saved our lives!” they exclaimed. “May it please you, my lord, to let us be Pharaoh’s servants.” 26 Joseph then issued a decree still in effect in the land of Egypt, that Pharaoh should receive one-fifth of all the crops grown on his land. Only the land belonging to the priests was not given to Pharaoh.
27 Meanwhile, the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly.

Examine the Scriptures

Genesis 47:13-26 NLT
Joseph’s Leadership in the Famine
13 Meanwhile, the famine became so severe that all the food was used up, and people were starving throughout the lands of Egypt and Canaan. 

Famines were not uncommon in the ancient world.
A famine occurred early in the lives of Abraham (12:10) and Isaac (26:1).
This famine was particularly severe.
Famine was a devastating catastrophe in an agrarian society.  It was often accompanied by starvation, disease, or war that brought adversity at many levels of society. Famines had far-reaching results in price inflation, robbery, social exploitation, agricultural collapse, migration, and even cannibalism.

  • The famine became so severe that people were starving throughout the lands of Egypt and Canaan. 

14 By selling grain to the people, Joseph eventually collected all the money in Egypt and Canaan, and he put the money in Pharaoh’s treasury.  

15 When the people of Egypt and Canaan ran out of money, all the Egyptians came to Joseph. “Our money is gone!” they cried. “But please give us food, or we will die before your very eyes!” 

  • The severity of the famine bankrupted the people in Egypt and Canaan.
  • The Egyptians came to Joseph for help. 

Joseph was approachable.  The people could come to him.  Joseph listened.

16 Joseph replied, “Since your money is gone, bring me your livestock. I will give you food in exchange for your livestock.” 17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph in exchange for food.

In exchange for their horses, flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and donkeys, Joseph provided them with food for another year.

  • Joseph came up with a solution that benefited both the people and Pharaoh.

Joseph provided solutions for the problem at hand.

The people would not have been able to provide for their livestock.  The livestock would have starved to death.  The cattle were actually worthless to the people.

18 But that year ended, and the next year they came again and said, “We cannot hide the truth from you, my lord. Our money is gone, and all our livestock and cattle are yours. We have nothing left to give but our bodies and our land. 19 Why should we die before your very eyes? Buy us and our land in exchange for food; we offer our land and ourselves as slaves for Pharaoh. Just give us grain so we may live and not die, and so the land does not become empty and desolate.”

Again the Egyptians came to Joseph for help.

  • The people came up with a solution that benefited both the people and Pharaoh.

The people offered themselves and their land. (Again Joseph listened.)

  • The Egyptian population understood the deadly nature of famines.

20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh.

Joseph did not have to buy the land.  Pharaoh could have simply confiscated the land.

All the Egyptians sold him their fields because the famine was so severe, and soon all the land belonged to Pharaoh. 21 As for the people, he made them all slaves, from one end of Egypt to the other. 

The welfare of slaves is the responsibility of their owner.

22 The only land he did not buy was the land belonging to the priests. They received an allotment of food directly from Pharaoh, so they didn’t need to sell their land. 

23 Then Joseph said to the people, “Look, today I have bought you and your land for Pharaoh. I will provide you with seed so you can plant the fields. 

Joseph had implemented a grain ration that saved the people and supplied seed to plant new crops.

  • Joseph provided the seed that the people needed to plant the fields. 

Joseph did not withhold something of great value from the people.

24 Then when you harvest it, one-fifth of your crop will belong to Pharaoh. You may keep the remaining four-fifths as seed for your fields and as food for you, your households, and your little ones.” 

25 “You have saved our lives!” they exclaimed. “May it please you, my lord, to let us be Pharaoh’s servants.”  

  • The people recognized and expressed gratitude to Joseph for his wise administration.

 26 Joseph then issued a decree still in effect in the land of Egypt, that Pharaoh should receive one-fifth of all the crops grown on his land. 

Joseph initiated a program that is still in effect today. (taxes)

It is difficult to come up with an “average” tax rate, but for the sake of discussion I will use the following statement that I found on the Internet:
The average single American contributed 29.8% of his earnings to three taxes in 2019—income taxes, Medicare, and Social Security.

Source: How Much Does the Average American Pay in Taxes? By Beverly Bird, review by Ebony J. Howard, Updated November 24, 2020 

Only the land belonging to the priests was not given to Pharaoh. 

27 Meanwhile, the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly.

  • The people of Egypt survived, but they were in bondage to Pharaoh.
  • God blessed Pharaoh because he had blessed the seed of Abraham with the best of Egypt.
  • The people of Israel were fruitful and their population grew rapidly.
  • For seventeen years Jacob witnessed the increase of the Israelite community. Jacob had a glimpse of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and himself being fulfilled.

The Blessings of Obedience

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The Blessings of Obedience

Review previous lessons on “giving”.

The call to generous giving

Do what you say you will do.

Finish what you start.

2 Corinthians 9:8-15 NLT
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

Examine the scriptures:

The Blessings of Obedience.

If you give generously …

2 Corinthians 9:8-15 NLT
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.  

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV (Another translation that was helpful to me.)
8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

  • God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.              WOW! 

2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT
7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 

Philippians 1:6
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 4:11-13 NLT
11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

It’s not ours, it all belongs to God.  He allows us to use it.

 9 As the Scriptures say, (Psalm 112:9)
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

Psalm 112:1 & 9 NLT
1 Praise the Lord!
How joyful are those who fear the Lord
and delight in obeying his commands. …
9 They share freely and give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
They will have influence and honor.

Proverbs 19:17 NLT
17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—
and he will repay you!

Matthew 25:40 NLT
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

  • As the Scriptures say, our good deeds will be remembered forever.

10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

God provides.
God increases your resources.
God produces a great harvest.

  • God provides. God increases your resources. God produces a great harvest.

11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. 

  • As you give you will be enriched, as you are enriched you can give more and more.

And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 

Two results:

Physical needs are being met.

God is being praised.

13 As a result of your ministry, they (the Jerusalem Church) will give glory to God. 

  • Two good things will result from your ministry of giving to believers—the needs of the believers will be met, and the believers will joyfully express their thanks to God (God will be praised). 

For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.  

  • Your generosity is a display of obedience to the good news of Christ.

James 2:14-18 NLT
Faith without Good Deeds Is Dead
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

John 13:35 NLT
35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

  • The generosity of the Corinthian Church is seen, by the Jerusalem Church, as evidence of a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

14 And they (the Jerusalem Church) will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.  

Overflowing grace – eternal salvation – spiritual riches.

Others will pray for you.

  • The Jerusalem Church prayed for the Corinthian Church with deep affection 

15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

  • Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

An indescribable gift!

How do we thank God for all He has done for us?

We love Him because He first loved us.

We serve the Lord

Psalm 100:2 NLT
2     Worship (serve) the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy. 

We don’t hesitate to bless others with material gifts.

  • How do we thank God for all He has done for us?
    • We love Him because He first loved us.
    • We serve Him.
    • We don’t hesitate to bless others with material gifts.

Jacob’s Family Arrives in Goshen

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Jacob’s Family Arrives in Goshen

Jacob and Joseph reunite.

Genesis 46:28-47:12 NLT
Jacob’s Family Arrives in Goshen
28 As they neared their destination, Jacob sent Judah ahead to meet Joseph and get directions to the region of Goshen. And when they finally arrived there, 29 Joseph prepared his chariot and traveled to Goshen to meet his father, Jacob. When Joseph arrived, he embraced his father and wept, holding him for a long time. 30 Finally, Jacob said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen your face again and know you are still alive.”
31 And Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s entire family, “I will go to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘My brothers and my father’s entire family have come to me from the land of Canaan. 32 These men are shepherds, and they raise livestock. They have brought with them their flocks and herds and everything they own.’”
33 Then he said, “When Pharaoh calls for you and asks you about your occupation, 34 you must tell him, ‘We, your servants, have raised livestock all our lives, as our ancestors have always done.’ When you tell him this, he will let you live here in the region of Goshen, for the Egyptians despise shepherds.”
Genesis 47:1-12 NLT1
 Then Joseph went to see Pharaoh and told him, “My father and my brothers have arrived from the land of Canaan. They have come with all their flocks and herds and possessions, and they are now in the region of Goshen.”
2 Joseph took five of his brothers with him and presented them to Pharaoh. 3 And Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?”
They replied, “We, your servants, are shepherds, just like our ancestors. 4 We have come to live here in Egypt for a while, for there is no pasture for our flocks in Canaan. The famine is very severe there. So please, we request permission to live in the region of Goshen.”
5 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have joined you here, 6 choose any place in the entire land of Egypt for them to live. Give them the best land of Egypt. Let them live in the region of Goshen. And if any of them have special skills, put them in charge of my livestock, too.”
7 Then Joseph brought in his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
8 “How old are you?” Pharaoh asked him.
9 Jacob replied, “I have traveled this earth for 130 hard years. But my life has been short compared to the lives of my ancestors.” 10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before leaving his court.
11 So Joseph assigned the best land of Egypt—the region of Rameses—to his father and his brothers, and he settled them there, just as Pharaoh had commanded. 12 And Joseph provided food for his father and his brothers in amounts appropriate to the number of their dependents, including the smallest children.

Examine the Scriptures

Genesis 46:28-47:12 NLT
Jacob’s Family Arrives in Goshen
28 As they neared their destination, Jacob sent Judah ahead to meet Joseph and get directions to the region of Goshen.

Note:  Judah received directions to Goshen, not Pharaoh’s palace.

Joseph’s brothers would set up “camp” in Goshen.

Genesis 45:17-18 NLT
17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘This is what you must do: Load your pack animals, and hurry back to the land of Canaan. 18 Then get your father and all of your families, and return here to me. I will give you the very best land in Egypt, and you will eat from the best that the land produces.’”

Judah the 4th oldest son.

Trusted.

Reuben, the firstborn, violated his father’s concubine, while Simeon and Levi went on to deceive and kill the men of Shechem in revenge for the rape of their sister.

The ancestor of King David and of Jesus Christ.

Genesis 49:10 NLT
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants,
until the coming of the one to whom it belongs,
the one whom all nations will honor.

Judah interceded for Benjamin.

Judah was far from perfect.

Reckless in his behavior with Tamar
(briefly the wife of two of Judah’s sons who were both killed by God. Genesis 38:6-30)

  • Judah is continuing to take on leadership responsibilities.

And when they finally arrived there, 29 Joseph prepared his chariot and traveled to Goshen to meet his father, Jacob. When Joseph arrived, he embraced his father and wept, holding him for a long time. 

Joseph and his father wept.

Joseph is now 39 years old. (22 years had passed since he had seen his father.)

Joseph would live to be 110.

Genesis 37:2 & 14 NLT
2 This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing. 

14 “Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are getting along,” Jacob said. “Then come back and bring me a report.” So Jacob sent him on his way, and Joseph traveled to Shechem from their home in the valley of Hebron. 

Genesis 41:46 NLT
46 He (Joseph) was thirty years old when he began serving in the court of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. 

  • Jacob and Joseph reunite. 

God’s timing is different than our timing.

30 Finally, Jacob said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen your face again and know you are still alive.”

Die in peace.

Jacob was now 130.  He would live to the age of 147.

1 Chronicles 5:1-2 NLT
1 The oldest son of Israel was Reuben. But since he dishonored his father by sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, his birthright was given to the sons of his brother Joseph. For this reason, Reuben is not listed in the genealogical records as the firstborn son. 2 The descendants of Judah became the most powerful tribe and provided a ruler for the nation, but the birthright belonged to Joseph.

The birthright (bekorah) has to do with both position and inheritance. By birthright, the firstborn son inherited the leadership of the family and the judicial authority of his father. Deuteronomy 21:17 states that he was also entitled to a double portion of the paternal inheritance.

Genesis 28:13-15 NLT
13 At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. 14 Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. 15 What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” 

  • The reunion between Jacob and his favorite son was a confirmation that God’s promised blessing was intact.

31 And Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s entire family, “I will go to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘My brothers and my father’s entire family have come to me from the land of Canaan. 32 These men are shepherds, and they raise livestock. They have brought with them their flocks and herds and everything they own.’”

33 Then he said, “When Pharaoh calls for you and asks you about your occupation, 34 you must tell him, ‘We, your servants, have raised livestock all our lives, as our ancestors have always done.’

  • Jacob’s family raised livestock all their lives, as their ancestors had done.

When you tell him this, he will let you live here in the region of Goshen, for the Egyptians despise shepherds.”

  • The Egyptians despised shepherds.

Genesis 47:1-12 NLT
1 Then Joseph went to see Pharaoh and told him, “My father and my brothers have arrived from the land of Canaan. They have come with all their flocks and herds and possessions, and they are now in the region of Goshen.”

2 Joseph took five of his brothers with him and presented them to Pharaoh. 3 And Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?”

They replied, “We, your servants, are shepherds, just like our ancestors. 

The brothers did not do as Joseph had instructed.

“34 you must tell him, ‘We, your servants, have raised livestock all our lives, as our ancestors have always done.’”

Words matter.  (Choose your words carefully.)

4 We have come to live here in Egypt for a while, for there is no pasture for our flocks in Canaan. The famine is very severe there. So please, we request permission to live in the region of Goshen.” 

5 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Now that your father and brothers have joined you here, 6 choose any place in the entire land of Egypt for them to live. Give them the best land of Egypt. Let them live in the region of Goshen.

And if any of them have special skills, put them in charge of my livestock, too.”

“livestock” 

7 Then Joseph brought in his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 

The first of two blessings. 

8 “How old are you?” Pharaoh asked him.

9 Jacob replied, “I have traveled this earth for 130 hard years. But my life has been short compared to the lives of my ancestors.”  

10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before leaving his court.

  • Jacob blessed Pharaoh. (A blessing from God.)

Genesis 12:2-3 NLT
2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

11 So Joseph assigned the best land of Egypt—the region of Rameses—to his father and his brothers, and he settled them there, just as Pharaoh had commanded.  

  • Joseph assigned the best land of Egypt—the region of Rameses—to his father and his brothers

Joseph’s family, the Israelites, lived separately from the Egyptians.  This separation would allow the people to grow into a great nation without losing their identity.

Suited for pasture.

The Israelites would run no danger of being absorbed by them so long as they continued to devote themselves to their old pursuits.

  • The fact that the Egyptians despised shepherds turned out to be a blessing for the Israelites.

12 And Joseph provided

“provided” or administered.

food for his father and his brothers in amounts appropriate to the number of their dependents, including the smallest children.

“reign over”

Genesis 37:5-8 NLT
5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!”
8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 

  • Joseph reigned over his brothers.

The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

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The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

A continuation, and some repetition, of chapter 8.

Do what you say you will do.

 

2 Corinthians 9:1-7 NLT
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
1 I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. 2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.
3 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 9:1-7 NLT
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
1 I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. 

Repetition can be used to emphasize the importance of a point a person is trying to communicate.

Scripture frequently uses repetition.

Philippians 4:4 NIV
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Paul is repeating instructions from chapter 8.

2 Corinthians 8:11 NLT
11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.

Go all the way back to 1 Corinthians 16:1-3

1 Corinthians 16:1-3 NLT
The Collection for Jerusalem
1 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. 3 When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.

  • Finish what you start.

2 For I know how eager you are to help, 

and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. 

Philippians 2:4 NLT
4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 

3 But I am sending these brothers

Titus and the two unnamed men sent by the church mentioned in the previous lesson. (8:18-24)

to be sure you really are ready,

Paul is sending some brothers to help the Corinthians fulfill their comments.

The confusion and lies spread by the false teachers had sidetracked the Corinthians.

Titus and his companions were sent to help the Corinthians get their financial house in order.

Proverbs 15:22 NLT
22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
many advisers bring success. 

  • Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.
  • Be willing to accept advice from Godly individuals.

 as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you.  

4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 

  • It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.

Proverbs 25:14 NLT
14 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 NLT
4 When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. 5 It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. 

  • Don’t commit to something you can’t finish.

Luke 14:28-30 NLT
28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ 

  • Don’t commit to something until you count the cost.

It can be embarrassing to brag about someone’s ministry, only to find out that they are not doing all that they profess to be doing.

5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. 

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 

Luke 6:38 NLT
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

 Proverbs 11:25 NLT
25 The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

  • The one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

In case you need more motivation.

Matthew 25:34-40 NLT
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ 

7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 

  • You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 
  • God loves a cheerful giver.