2 Corinthians 9:6-15
A Cheerful Giver
Read the passage
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or 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 supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.
12For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
13Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.
14And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Paul uses the picture of sowing and reaping. A person who sows sparingly reaps sparingly, while a generous sower reaps generously. The image invites confidence in God's fruitful care, but it is not a promise that donations make a person wealthy or that God can be manipulated into paying back a gift.
Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not with regret or compulsion. God loves a cheerful giver. Paul calls for a willing gift, chosen from the heart, rather than obedience produced by pressure.
God is able to make grace abound so His people have what they need and can abound in every good work. Paul quotes Psalm 112's description of a righteous person who gives to the poor. The God who supplies seed and food will also supply and multiply what the Corinthians have for generosity. He will increase a harvest of righteousness: their resources become a means of serving people and honoring Him.
The ministry meets the needs of the saints and creates many expressions of thanks to God. Those receiving the gift glorify God because the Corinthians' generosity confirms their confession of the gospel. They also pray for and love the givers. Paul ends by thanking God for His indescribable gift, keeping every human gift inside the greater grace of God.
How We Know
Paul quotes Psalm 112's description of the righteous person's generous gifts to the poor. In the psalm, this person fears the LORD and trusts Him. That setting fits Paul's promise of provision for generosity: the enduring fruit concerns righteousness and care for others, not a guaranteed increase in personal luxury.
Questions
1 What does the sowing image communicate?
AnswerIt communicates that generosity can produce a harvest of good work and blessing beyond the original gift.
2 How should each person decide what to give?
AnswerEach person should decide freely in the heart, without regret or compulsion from a leader or the surrounding crowd.
3 What does generosity supply besides material needs?
AnswerIt supplies the saints' needs and produces many expressions of thanksgiving and worship directed toward God.
4 What gift causes Paul to give thanks?
AnswerHe gives thanks for God's indescribable gift, the greater grace revealed in Jesus Christ and not earned by human generosity.
What This Means for Us
When you give, remember the people who will be helped. Pray that the gift will meet their need and give them reason to thank God. Their lives matter beyond the moment when your donation is made.
If someone has helped you, thank God for His care through them and pray for them in return. Paul describes a gift creating affection and prayer between believers who share in God's grace.
Prayer
Generous God, thank You for every good gift and especially for Christ. Free us from greed and pressure, make us cheerful and wise givers, and use our generosity to meet needs and awaken thanksgiving. Amen.