Scripture Reading(s)
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
9:6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
9:7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
9:8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
9:9 As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
9:10 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.
9:11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us;
9:12 for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.
9:13 Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others,
9:14 while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you.
9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Reflections
The Corinthians church was part of a large fundraiser for the ailing church in Jerusalem. Very hard times fell on Jerusalem partly because of Roman persecution. As a response Paul lead the effort in collecting funds to help them stay afloat. This part of the 2nd letter to the Corinthians is dealing with the special offering that will be going to help the Jerusalem church.
Paul is reminding them that God is the arbiter of all things. He is the supplier of all things. When we give of our own free will to those in need we are doing the will of the Father and we must believe that God will also take care of our own needs. Someone once told me that a persona cannot out-give God. This is a bit of a hyperbolic statement but the principle is that when we obey the Lord we are blessed because of it.
Never forget that God is the owner of all things, even your wallet. If we do not sow into others and pay attention to other people’s needs then we are telling God that we are not interested in doing the Lord’s work. Be a blessing to others and you will be blessed in return by others and by the Lord.
Recently in my home church we had a public discussion about the need to give financially. We talked about the budget that we would need in order to keep maintaining the church and furthermore one day soon be able to afford an actual church building of our own. When one starts to think about donating money to those in need, one of the first things that comes to mind is if the heart truly wants to and how much can one afford to give.
Paul here is driving the point home in verse 8 that all that we have is a blessing from God. He is the one that provided us with the means to live day to day and when we choose to give and put others needs first, we notice and see God working in ways that we could not accomplish on our own. Our role is not to worry about the financial cost, but to rejoice in what the spiritual outcome will be from us following God’s command to give.
There are those of us who may not always be in a financial position to give. However, the point is that we can still give as much as one can and furthermore to do it with a joyful and willing heart. Doing so will speak volumes to the fact that we trust in God’s sovereign ability to provide. Trust that God can use you with whatever means you have, He is the ultimate provider and is able to do accomplish any and all things.
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