Jerusalem had a need and Paul was raising funds to bring to those suffering in Jerusalem, their fellow believers. As he was speaking of fun-raising, he had a few things to say.
1) Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly. Whoever sows generously will reap generously.
This is the law of the harvest. You can only harvest something based on what you have planted. If you want a big harvest, you have to plant a lot of seeds.
2) Giving should not be reluctantly or under compulsion.
Yes, Paul was urging them to give. But it was to be a gift, not mandatory. He did not want anyone giving a gift begrudgingly or out of duty, but out of love–love for God and love those in the family of ‘Christ.
Now it’s time to hear the blessing of righteousness that God grants. It actually is quite a strong verse.
“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” (2 Cor 9:8).
In the Greek, the words “all things” and “all times” and “all that you need” have the same root. God wants to bless the generous.
But there’s a qualifier. Some people see this that if they give they will get back more for themselves. This is not what the text is saying.
It is saying that God wants to use you as a funnel to the suffering and the poor and helping others. It is so “you will abound in every good work.” This is further pointed out by the next verse:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”
Giving and then receiving blessing from the Lord is not for us to benefit. It is so that we can be as a water hose bringing life to others.
God says that when we walk this way, he will continue to bless us so that we can bless others. It doesn’t necessarily say money, but that is a possibility as well.
“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. 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” (v. 10-11).
God is looking for people who funnel life and good works. The fruit is three fold.
1) People are helped
2) The giver received the harvest of rightoeusness
3) God is glorified as people give thanks
It’s a win on every occasion.
“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. 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. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (v. 12-15).
In every way, the generous act that Paul is calling the Corinthians to will help everyone. The most important? God’s gift of salvation to us keeps multiplying to others.
The question for us is where is our heart in this? Are we walking in generosity towards others? Are we a funnel to the good things God wants to do through us? Whether that’s giving or in other ways of generosity?