Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of II Corinthians Chapter 9
Metaphysically Interpreting II Corinthians 9:1-15
9:1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 9:2for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them.9:3But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepared: 9:4lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence. 9:5I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised bounty, that the same might be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.
9:6But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 9:7Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 9:8And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work: 9:9as it is written,
He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor;
His righteousness abideth for ever.9:10And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: 9:11ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God. 9:12For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God; 9:13seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all; 9:14while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. 9:15Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
October 21, 1928: II Cor. 9:6-7,15
Man sometimes gives with the expectation of getting back in another way more than he gives. Does this apply to religious gifts? Not directly. If a person knows the law, he knows that he must first give himself to the Lord. Then by giving of his substance with abounding faith in God's abundance, he is conscious of receiving a blessing. The blessing is magnified and increased in the thought atmosphere of his mind, and he receives not only spiritually, but also in seemingly material ways.
In this lesson Paul writes much of abundance and riches. Have these words a special import in metaphysical unfoldment? Yes. If one desires prosperity, the words, “riches,” “opulence,” and “abundance,” are good words to hold in one's mind. He who keeps his mind charged with the thoughts that opulence and abundance are flowing to him from Divine Mind will never lack any good thing, and his gifts will carry increase wherever they go.
“Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Explain. When one is right with God, all one's acts will be right. When such an individual receives bountifully, naturally he will give forth bountifully. Every gift will be full of love, free from all grudging feelings. “He that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
July 19, 1931: II Cor. 9:1-7
There was a murmuring among the Grecian Jews because their widows were neglected in the ministration. Metaphysically, what does this mean? The Grecian Jews represent new converts to the faith. Until selfishness is overcome, a sense of injustice arises in mind at every indication that the purely spiritual interests of life are receiving more attention and more sustaining power than the other worth-while interests of the individual. New converts are always careful to insure their own rights, and watchful of the good faith of their coworkers.
In individual consciousness how should we meet situations of this kind? We should ever be nonresistant toward new states of consciousness that are forming, and should declare perfect freedom for them. The Spirit of truth, which is in each soul, ever working to harmonize and to uplift, calls into executive authority the most enlightened of these thought forces, and they are given the right to share in the management and distribution of the inflowing spiritual substance. Thus peace is established.
What is one of the most difficult lessons for man to learn? It has taken mankind centuries to learn the lesson of unselfish generosity. It is not yet learned; it is still a lesson. Paul found; it imperative to urge the early Christians to make generous donations to the support of workers. Each individual must learn to give in the spirit of unselfish love and enthusiasm, before he can hope to receive in like manner or degree from the Giver of “every good gift and every perfect gift.”
December 14, 1941: II Cor. 9:6-7
What fixes the measure of man’s realization of good? His willingness to put the law of increase to the proof. “He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
What is the metaphysical meaning of the statement “God loveth a cheerful giver”? He who has a generous heart is in harmony with divine law. In this state of harmony he is receptive to divine love and the other blessings that free will, rightly exercised, obtains for man.
November 26, 1950: II Cor. 9:6-8
What are the important factors to consider in our giving of time, money, or other things of value? The purpose of our giving, and our will actually to carry our giving into expression. A farmer reaps no harvest so long as he leaves his seed wheat and other grains standing in the storehouse. We may wish to do good, relieve distress, spread good will and good cheer in the world, but, unless we actually get to work and execute our good intentions, the world is none the gainer for them, and we are the loser, because of our failure to make our acts express our thoughts and desires.
What makes our giving acceptable to others? The cheerfulness with which we give. When we give grudgingly to someone, even though the recipient may be in actual need of the gift and may accept it for that reason alone, he experiences no expansion of spirit in accepting it, but rather feels resentment. Neither do we benefit by giving grudgingly. Unless we can give joyously we should withhold what Emerson has called the “wicked dollar,” adding, “which by and by I shall have the manhood to withhold” (Self-Reliance, 1941)
How can we prove the truth of the statement “God is able to make all grace abound unto you”? By keeping an open mind, an open heart, and an open hand. The mind should be open to the good only, as should the heart, and the hand should express the thoughts and ideas that the mind and heart pass on to it for executing.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 12-01-2013
