6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give 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 abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 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 every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 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, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Paul reminds the Corinthians of the biblical law of sowing and reaping. This law is seen elsewhere in Scripture (see Prov 11:24-25; 19:7; Luke 6:38; Gal 6:7). The amount of harvest that is reaped is based on the amount of seed sown. This principle does not mean that money given results in money received in some heavenly equation. Our reward for material and physical generosity today will be experienced most fully in heaven (Matt 6:19-21). Another reason to give generously is because God loves a cheerful giver. Our giving should be an outpouring of our hearts, not something we feel reluctant or compelled to do. What should you do if you are not feeling joy at the prospect of giving? Ask God to change your heart. Not being cheerful in your giving is not an excuse not to give. God is the one who will supply our needs and ensure that we have enough to continue the good work into the future. There is no promise here that giving will guarantee prosperity for the giver. The promise is for sufficiency. Paul backs up this claim with a quote from Psalm 112:9. Psalm 112 describes the righteous man who fears the Lord and as a result, does good deeds. The righteous man in the psalm freely gives to the poor. Like that man, the Corinthians, and we will be eternally blessed when we help meet the needs of others. God is the One who supplies everything we have and when we use that generously in support of others, He will increase our ability to give. Generosity is not once-off. As we give, God supplies our needs and gives us enough, or perhaps more, to give generously again and again. All of this is done to the glory and thanksgiving to God, both by the giver and the recipient. When we give to those believers who cannot repay us materially we are likely to receive their prayers as they thank God for His grace through us as givers. Ultimately Paul reminds us of the incredible generosity of God who gave us Jesus Christ, the ultimate expression of God’s grace, the indescribable gift!
How does your giving reflect the blessings God has given you? Did you ever consider that your giving can be an expression of praise and thanks to God for what you have received? Do you need to change something about your habit of giving today?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
The Two Witnesses: Revelation 10-11