There is a lot to cover in this lesson.  In Chapter 8, Paul commends the Macedonia Christians who wanted to be partners in taking a collection to support the poor saints in Jerusalem.  They viewed it as a privilege.  Their generous response was far more than Paul expected.  Verse 12 “For if there be first a willing mind (if the desire to contribute is in your hearts in the first place), it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”  Carrying this thought over to Chapter 9, Paul adds in Verses 6 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” In other words, those who donate or give little will harvest fewer blessings from God and those who donate generously will have a bounteous harvest of blessings from God.  Verse 7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart (it is up to each person to decide how much he will give), so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (or because he feels forced): for God loveth a cheerful giver.”  God loves a heart that is enthusiastic with the pleasure of giving.  He doesn’t attach our giving with compulsion or obligation as in the form of paying tithing in order to be worthy – like certain works-based religious systems do.    In Chapter 10, Paul spends his time defending His apostleship before the believers at Corinth.  However, in Chapter 11, Paul unleashes some real gems of inspiration on us while he continues to prove his authority as an apostle.  Verse 3 “But I fear, lest by means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty (cunning), so your minds should be corrupted (taken away) from the simplicity that is in Christ.”  In Galatians, we’ll find a false Gospel had been embraced by the Galatians.  Perhaps it is simply taking the Good News and adding to it or taking away from the Gospel.  We know that’s what religion does through the manipulation of the Word of God and the twisting of Scripture.  2 Corinthians 11:4 “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”  In other words, if anyone – like missionaries come to your door with another gospel about a different kind of Jesus than what you know from the Bible – take the time to share with them the truth by correcting their false doctrines. text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo

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Paul now directs his readers to the dangers of Satan-sponsored false prophets, and other deceitful workers who apparently have worked themselves into positions of influence among some believers in Corinth.  Verse 13 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.”  These men are trying to make you think they are true Apostles of Jesus Christ.   Paul said back in Romans 16:17-18 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them.  For they are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good works and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”  Paul warned in Galatians 1:7 “but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”  Peter gets into the act by saying in 2 Peter 2:1 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon them-selves swift destruction.”  And then we have John in 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone