ma·nip·u·late| məˈnipyəˌlāt | Handle or control, typically in a skillful manner. Control or influence (a person or situation) cleverly.
pres·sure| ˈpreSHər | The use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something.
Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
2 Corinthians 9
I for one don’t feel safe, or comfortable, using the word “manipulation” or “pressure.” But the leadership style of commendable New Testament figures unavoidably involves these flavors and feelings. Perhaps the words “manipulation” and “pressure” are simply distasteful to me, but that doesn’t change the immediate (and perhaps lasting) sensations I experience when receiving a letter like 2 Corinthians. The inescapable reality is that there is MUCH discomfort and disruption in Scripture; and in the words of Flannery ‘O Connor, “The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.” There’s no way around the fact that it certainly feels like Paul is micro-managing and baby-sitting the people of Corinth. My personal belief is that Paul is leading the people of Corinth well, but certainly the people of Corinth (and many modern day readers) would take issue with Paul’s approach.
I get the impression that some humans don’t feel safe, or comfortable, speaking the way Paul does in 2 Corinthians 9. This is not because these people are without deep convictions regarding things that are good, true, and beautiful; rather it seems to have something to do with personal comfort, or fear of what others will think and feel.
I’m personally grateful for Paul’s strong pressure-packed style of leading me.
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