2 Corinthians 9:6-9 (WEL) But I do say this, “He who sows sparingly will harvest sparingly also,” and “he who sows bountifully will harvest bountifully also.”
[Compare Proverbs 11:24-25, Proverbs 19:17, and Proverbs 22:9]. 7 Everyone needs to give according as he decides in his heart, not grudgingly or because he must because God loves a cheerful giver. 8 God is also able to make every grace be more than enough for you, in order that you always having everything sufficiently, may share more than enough for every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has dispersed. He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.” [Psalm 112:9]
V6 But I do say this, “He who sows sparingly will harvest sparingly also,” and “he who sows bountifully will harvest bountifully also.” [Compare Proverbs 11:24-25, Proverbs 19:17, and Proverbs 22:9].
There are blessings for giving. Giving is a sacrifice, an offering to God.
We must not think that I’ll give this money and God will give me more money. The blessings are pleasing God and knowing you helped needy brothers and sisters.
- Better to give than receive (Acts 20:35)
- Joy from God (Philemon 1:7)
Some Christian sacrifices:
- Our bodies and minds: Romans 12:1-2 NKJV – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- Gifts to help others, especially Christians (including time, assistance, home repairs, helping shopping, etc.): Philippians 4:18 NKJV – Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
- Praise to God: Hebrews 13:15 NKJV – Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
- Prayer and other worship (singing, etc.): 1 Peter 2:5 NKJV – You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
V7 Everyone needs to give according as he decides in his heart, not grudgingly or because he must because God loves a cheerful giver.
The amount is not decreed; it is to be a free will offering. This is a personal decision with good motivations or feeling forced. God wants cheerful givers, not pressured believers.
Barclay (beware) has a lengthy but worthy comment on this verse:
“But the rewards that the New Testament envisages are never material. It promises not the wealth of things, but the wealth of the heart and of the spirit. What then can a generous man expect?
- He will be rich in love. This is a point to which we will return. It is always true that no one likes the mean man, and generosity can cover a multitude of other sins. Men will always prefer the warm heart, even though its very warmth may lead it into excesses, to the cold rectitude of the calculating spirit.
- He will be rich in friends. “A man that has friends must show himself friendly.” An unlovable man can never expect to be loved. The man whose heart runs out to others will always find that the hearts of others run out to him.
- He will be rich in help. The day always comes when we need the help which others can give, and, if we have been sparing in our help to them, the likelihood is that they will be sparing in their help to us. The measure we have used to others will determine the measure which is given to us.
- He will be rich towards God. Jesus taught us that what we do to others we do for God, and the day will come when every time we opened our heart and hand will stand to our favor, and every time we closed them will be a witness against us.”
V8 God is also able to make every grace be more than enough for you, in order that you always having everything sufficiently, may share more than enough for every good work.
The strength and ability of God is something we cannot understand. His treasury of grace is never empty, never stale, never lacking, and God is willing, if we are willing. Pleasing God is a joy in itself, and God is pleased when we help other believers. God can and does supply for our needs. It is a witness to help others.
1 Peter 2:12 (WEL) Have your behavior virtuous among the heathen, so even though they verbally abuse you as being evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits.
We must not let the love of money cheat us from God’s blessings. Let us love God and our brethren more than money or things.
Money is not the only thing we can give. We can give love, time, listening to someone, food, fellowship, meals, assistance around the house, etc.
V9 As it is written, “He has dispersed. He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.” [Psalm 112:9]
Guzik on this verse: “This generosity is not “…given indiscriminately and at random, but ‘dispersed,’ like precious seed, with prudence and discretion, according to the nature of the soil, and in proper season, so as to produce the most plentiful harvest.” (Horne)
The Old Testament principles are carried over to the New Testament.
We learn:
To be generous when needed and a blessing.
Attitudes towards giving.
Questions:
Do you give?
What is your attitude?