2 Corinthians 9 - Giving Generously is Contagious!

Click Here to Read or Listen To 2 Corinthians 9

9 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

Paul continues to speak to the Corinthians about the gift they had promised. It is interesting he spends so much time trying to make sure they are ready to complete the gift they had pledged. Paul had really pumped up the church at Philippi and motivated them by boasting about their gift. He didn't want to them to be disappointed when they came to Corinth. 

We see the very practical nature of Paul's teaching here. As I mentioned yesterday, sometimes we don't like to talk about giving in the church. When people in church don't give what they say what they will give, it is always "touchy" to remind them about it. After all we reason, we don't to offend them, or maybe they won't give at all. We usually worry too much about how people react about the subject. We should be bolder, especially knowing it is going to God's mission to reach all nations. 

Finally, Paul challenges them to give "generously", not "grudgingly".  God doesn't need our money. Our attitude with our giving is almost as important as the amount. We can never "outgive" God!

This may be a “playful” way of encouraging the Corinthian Christians to really be ready and willing to give. Paul may be saying, “Come now, you really can be ready to give. After all, I’ve already bragged about your willingness to others!” - Guzik

“When God gives grace, He does not reluctantly open a little finger and maintain a clenched fist full of gifts. I would tell you today that God’s hands are nail-pierced hands and they are wide open. This fountain of grace is always pouring itself out with no limitation on heaven’s side at all.” (Redpath)

Generosity Encouraged

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.”

Paul then teaches on why we should give to God and the church. There is not a better explanation of generosity given in the bible from my vantage point. I have always used this in talks/messages related to giving. 

1. Generosity begets generosity. If we have a "scarcity mentality" with God, He will have a "scarcity" mentality with us. If we are generous will reap abundantly more. 

2. The amount we give should not be hastily decided on, but we ought to pray on it and be intentional about it. If we are giving out of guilt or compulsion, it is probably better not to give. As said earlier, God wants us to be joyful in our giving knowing our heart is becoming more like His heart. 

3. As we give generously God increases our capacity to give to other things. It probably won't be quid pro quo but as Paul says, "So that in all things, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." You see the many ways God blesses us when we open our hearts to fund his mission. We can't outgive God!

4. Our gifts are not just temporary but eternal. We are investing in things that have an eternal impact. As the Psalmist writes in Psalm 112:19 to those who give to the poor in obedience to God, "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.  

Paul repeats the truth that God will increase our capacity to give, as we give generously. He uses the analogy of the "sower and the seed". God will not only increase the amount of bread, but also increase the store of seed for an even bigger harvest. 

The idea is that as we are generous and obedient to God, He will always provide enough for the mission He has called us to. This in the end will result in praise and thanksgiving to God, the giver of every perfect gift. God's very nature is self-giving, so as we give our heart becomes more like His! 

“This harvest should be understood both in terms of the spiritual reward of eternal life and also referring to the earthly blessings with which God honours the beneficent. Not only in heaven does God reward the well-doing of the godly, but in this world as well.” (Calvin)

 Paul recognizes God as the great supplier. Whatever we have to give was first given to us by God. - Guzik

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!

Their faithful and generous giving not only met the needs of the poor in Jerusalem, but also was a demonstration of their faith in God. Since they were giving to God first, it also showed the saints in Jerusalem that God would provide them. So you see the threefold nature of blessing. It will also reflect well and give evidence of the faith of Corinthians. When we give generously it is a good witness to the world!  That's why we should be good tippers at restaurants! LOL

Giving is contagious, and so is our walk with Christ. We all encourage each other when we step to give generously. That is why at auctions the price keeps going up when we see one person giving and another so the amount is way more than anyone would expect. This is how the church should be! We are inspire each other to give to God's glory and to reach more people for Him!

Paul ends with the most important principle. All of our giving is in thanks and response to the indescribable gift he has given us, which is salvation and eternal life in Christ. The gift the Father gave us in His Son, is the best and important gift we will ever receive in this life and enjoy in the life to come!

Where in your life is God calling you to give more generously? What fears do you have in doing so? How does knowing God will bless you abundantly and also increase your capacity to give more help you to be obedient?