2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Giving Generously
1There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2For 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. 3But 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. 4For 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. 5So 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.
Sowing Generously
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever." 10Now 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. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men 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. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
St. Paul writes to the Corinthians about giving...He tells them he knows they are eager to help the poor...He is encouraging them and challenging them to give and be prepared to give...
St. Paul urges the Corinthians to give generously and tells them that he has boasted to the Macedonians about the their generosity...The enthusiasm of the Corinthians' generosity has stirred them (the Macedonians to give more generously)...St. Paul says he is writing them in advance about their giving, so they maybe prepared in advance...Then the gift will be a generous gift, no a grudging, unprepared gift...
Whoever sows generously, will reap generously...Whoever sows sparingly, will reap sparingly...Each man should decide in his own heart to give, not reluctantly, grudgingly, or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver...God is able to make all grace bound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will be abound in every good work...
We will be rich in every way when we are generous on every occasion...When we are generous as Paul describes, then this will result in thanksgiving to God...St. Paul teaches us that God provides...He is not talking about unlimited prosperity and wealth, and the number of material things one has... He will supply us with what really makes us content...
The service of helping others is overflowing...Giving to the needy, not only helps the poor, but is a thanksgiving to God...The poor (as does everyone) need the basics of food, clothing, and shelter...Man must have these basic needs to survive...But giving can be things other than their three basic needs...We can and should give others our kindness, our time, and other things our neighbors need that go beyond the the three basic needs...But we must start with the basic needs for the poor and needy to survive...Generosity in sharing with the needy and everyone else, all things, is one of the teachings of Jesus...This generous giving shows a love to others...
Generosity, in unfettered cheerful way, is a gift from God...And the gratefulness of those receiving those gifts, is also a gift from God...Generosity and gratefulness are part of His grace...Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift of grace...