2 Corinthians 9:6-15
6 Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously.
7 Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
9 as it is written: “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now 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;
11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,
14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
The Blessing that Comes from Giving
The illustration of sowing seed
In today’s passage, Paul speaks about the blessings that come from giving. To make his point clear, he uses the illustration of sowing seed. (1) The harvest is determined by the amount of seed sown. The one who sows abundantly will reap an abundant harvest. (2) The person who gives must first decide in his heart how much to give. (3) Next, he gives the amount he has decided in his heart. (4) What is important at that point is to give cheerfully, not reluctantly or under compulsion. Ultimately, to sow abundantly refers to the attitude of the heart that gives cheerfully. God blesses such a person. Paul quotes Psalm 112:9 to demonstrate God’s grace toward those who give cheerfully. “He has given freely to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be exalted in honor.” If we give cheerfully, not only will we receive blessings during our earthly lives, but our acts of giving will also be remembered before God forever.
The blessings from giving
What blessings do our gifts (giving is a form of ministry) bring? (1) They meet the needs of the saints. The offering of the Corinthian believers met the needs of the believers in Jerusalem. (2) Those who receive the offering will give thanks to God. Not only that, when they see that those who gave are living in obedience to the gospel, they will glorify God all the more. The Corinthian believers were Gentiles, while the believers in Jerusalem were Jews. In other words, the Jewish believers were moved by the faith of the Gentile believers and glorified God. How wonderful this is! (3) Furthermore, they will come to have a heartfelt affection for those who gave to them. It is also deeply moving that Jewish believers would come to have such affection for Gentile believers. In this way, amazing grace is hidden in the ministry of giving. We can readily understand why Paul concludes by saying, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” Let us pray that our understanding of giving may be fundamentally transformed.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, giving is a ministry. Moreover, it is a ministry that promises many wonderful results. Please enable me always to give cheerfully. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.