A Better You on Purpose
Biblical Writings – 6
Generosity Encouraged – 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The Revelation
Verse 1–9: GENEROUS GIFT Previously the Corinthians told Paul that they were ready to give generously to the needy Christians in Jerusalem. Now Paul urges them to put that good desire into practice, and helps them by sending Christians to them to help them to prepare the gift! He seeks generous, not grudging, giving. As with sowing seed and reaping a harvest, giving meanly produces a mean harvest and giving generously produces a generous one. God’s grace not only helps people to give willingly, but is also a means by which God blesses them incidentally when they give to please Him. V 10–15: GLORIFYING GIVING Their giving meets the needs of poor Christians, causing the recipients to glorify God. It produces thanksgiving, prayer and praise, as the benefits both from the gospel and from their giving cause others to thank God wholeheartedly. Paul reminds them of God’s ‘indescribable gift’ to them. He gave His own Son.
Give from your heart in spite of what’s given back to you. For you are not giving to receive.
