2 Corinthians 9
CHAPTER 9
An appeal for generous giving
For concerning the service to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you. 2 For I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to those in Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for the past year; and your zeal has stirred up very many of them. 3 But I have sent the brothers, that our boasting on your behalf may not be made void in this respect. That, even as I said: You may be prepared. 4 Lest by any means, if there come with me some Macedonians and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be embarrassed for my being so confident of your generosity. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not, as it were, as an extortion.
6 But this I say: He that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Let each man do according to what he intends in his heart. Not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that you, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. 9 As it is written: He has scattered abroad, He has given to the poor. His righteousness abides for ever. 10 And He that supplies seed to the sower and bread for food shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this charity not only provides for the wants of the saints, but abounds also through many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service they glorify God for your loyalty which you confess to the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all. 14 While they also, with prayers on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.
Commentary
9:2 Zeal and enthusiasm to be generous are contagious; but generosity and care for others mustn't be mere words, as it was with the Corinthians and as it so often is in conversations between believers; there must be concrete action (v. 3).
9:6 Reaping the results of our generosity will come at the harvest, which is the return of Christ (Mt. 13:30). We can be generous with things other than money.
9:7 Giving to others, of anything (not only money), should be done with joy and not because we feel we have to, or it's expected of us; it should be the result of a conscious decision which we privately take.
9:8 If we truly desire to be generous, then God will give us what is required to be generous with- He will give us yet more seed to sow, so that the harvest from it (both in terms of praise to Him from the recipients and of glory we will receive in the Kingdom) will be greater (vv. 10-12). Jesus taught the same in Lk. 11:5-7- we will be given whatever we ask, if we ask for it in order to give to others that which they truly need but we truly don't have.
