In 2 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul asked the Corinthian Church not to embarrass him or themselves. A year before Paul wrote this second letter, the Corinthians promised to give a monetary gift to those in need. Because of their generous offer, Paul had gone throughout Macedonia boasting about how generous the Corinthians were. The time had come to collect the promised funds, and Paul wanted to ensure they would keep their word.
“ … lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.” (2 Corinthians 9:4) Paul also wanted to collect the money before he arrived—that way they weren’t scrambling to gather the funds at his arrival. He simply wanted them to do as they promised. However, Paul also let it be known that this gift should be out of generosity and not given as a grudging obligation (v.5)
Paul wrote, “God loves a cheerful giver” in verse seven. I suppose if you are going to give with a hardened heart, then you shouldn’t give at all. Both giving and not giving are matters of the heart. If we are grudging givers, we can always ask God to heal our hearts so that we may give in a way that pleases Him. Otherwise, we will miss out on the promise of reaping bountifully from bountiful giving and instead receive a sparing reward for sowing sparingly (2 Corinthians 9:6).
If we give bountifully, Paul states that “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (8). He also says that He [God] who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, will supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality …” (v. 10-11).
Paul said some amazing things here. If we give cheerfully and bountifully, God will multiply the seed we offer and our righteousness. He will enrich us in every way simply because we choose to give to others. Imagine God taking your hypothetical “five loaves and two fish” and feeding five thousand. God will take what we give and multiply it. That’s good news for the receiver.
But the good news for you is multi-fold as well. Paul says God will make us abound in every good work. When God sees that we are givers, cheerful givers, He will ensure that we have the ability to continue to give toward good works and enrich us in everything. When we give to others, God gives to us. It’s that simple.
And yet, there is more. Our giving not only benefits others and us but also results in thanks to God. “For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:12). When the needs of believers are met through our giving, they thank God. So we see that in our giving, everyone receives. The people receive funds, we receive increase, and God gets praise. Everyone wins.
This would mean that the opposite is also true. If we do not give, then people in need are not receiving funds, we are not receiving increase from God, and most tragically, God is not receiving potential praise. In this scenario, everyone is robbed. No one wins. How tragic.
I understand that money does not flow in abundance for most people. But this is why what Paul said is so beautiful. He said that God would supply and multiply the seed we sow. God is both the one who gives funds and the one who multiplies them. And if we happen not to have a cheerful, giving heart, He is also the one who holds the power to transform hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. God can work it all out for our good and His glory if we only trust Him with everything—including our giving.
Paul concludes the chapter with praise: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (v.15) The gift of giving is a wonderous thing—a threefold divine act to benefit all. Only God could create something so unique that could profit both God and man in such an extraordinary way. It is a gift that is often underestimated and underused. My prayer is that if we do not currently take advantage of this gift, we will do so soon under the prompting, changing, and guiding of the Holy Spirit.
Instead of robbing everyone—including God and ourselves—from the lack of giving, may we give and do so cheerfully. Let’s make room for God to work in and through us so that He may receive thanksgiving and praise from our willing, giving hearts. May this message bless you, and may God keep you.
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Love it! I have tried it! And found it to be true! God is amazing!