2 Corinthians 9:1-15
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8
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We are soon approaching Christmas, the season of giving. You will start to see the Salvation Army volunteers and other groups collecting donations for the poor and needy outside supermarkets and shopping centres. What goes through your mind when you see them? Do you stop to give, or do you walk on by?
In today’s passage, Paul encourages the Corinthians to give generously to support the impoverished Jewish believers in Jerusalem. In those days, as it is today, generosity towards strangers was not a common instinct. People worked hard for their income, and it was natural to want to keep what they earned for themselves and their families. Giving to help people of a different race and background would have been even harder.
The Corinthian church had earlier pledged to contribute to this relief fund. Their example had inspired the Macedonian churches to give joyfully and sacrificially. Now, in Chapter 9, Paul gently reminds the Corinthians to fulfil their promise, and to do it willingly and joyfully, not out of pressure.
Paul uses the imagery of a farmer who sows bountifully and will in time reap bountifully (v6). No farmer would consider sowing as a loss of seed because the harvest will provide new seeds for the next season. If he sows reluctantly or tries to scrimp by sowing as little as possible, he only deprives himself of what might have grown. In the same way, when we give generously, we are sowing into God’s work and trusting Him for the harvest.
Of course, we should not view giving as an investment, seeking a positive net return from the money we offer. If a person gives in the hope of getting greater material prosperity, their harvest will only be spiritual poverty. It is the heart that God sees, and not the amount that is given. He delights in the one who is delighted to give to others, because God Himself is a joyful and generous giver.
Most of us hesitate to give because we fear we will not have enough left for ourselves. However, Paul assures us that God will supply all our needs at all times. The more we sow, the more God will multiply our sowing. Conversely, if we are reluctant to sow generously, it would reveal our lack of trust in God’s all-sufficiency and grace.
Martin Luther once said, “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”
This Christmas season, let us give with gratitude and trust. As we bless others, may our generosity overflow in thanksgiving to God, both in our hearts and from those who receive grace through our giving.
Reflection:
Do you sometimes hold back in giving because you worry about having less? Is there a need that God have opened your eyes to, but you have not yet responded?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, thank You for Your grace in our lives. You provide us exactly what we need, that we may abound in every good work. Please help us to have a heart of generosity, that we may be a channel of your blessing to any who is in need, that praise and thanksgiving to You may abound. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Click to Read
We are soon approaching Christmas, the season of giving. You will start to see the Salvation Army volunteers and other groups collecting donations for the poor and needy outside supermarkets and shopping centres. What goes through your mind when you see them? Do you stop to give, or do you walk on by?
In today’s passage, Paul encourages the Corinthians to give generously to support the impoverished Jewish believers in Jerusalem. In those days, as it is today, generosity towards strangers was not a common instinct. People worked hard for their income, and it was natural to want to keep what they earned for themselves and their families. Giving to help people of a different race and background would have been even harder.
The Corinthian church had earlier pledged to contribute to this relief fund. Their example had inspired the Macedonian churches to give joyfully and sacrificially. Now, in Chapter 9, Paul gently reminds the Corinthians to fulfil their promise, and to do it willingly and joyfully, not out of pressure.
Paul uses the imagery of a farmer who sows bountifully and will in time reap bountifully (v6). No farmer would consider sowing as a loss of seed because the harvest will provide new seeds for the next season. If he sows reluctantly or tries to scrimp by sowing as little as possible, he only deprives himself of what might have grown. In the same way, when we give generously, we are sowing into God’s work and trusting Him for the harvest.
Of course, we should not view giving as an investment, seeking a positive net return from the money we offer. If a person gives in the hope of getting greater material prosperity, their harvest will only be spiritual poverty. It is the heart that God sees, and not the amount that is given. He delights in the one who is delighted to give to others, because God Himself is a joyful and generous giver.
Most of us hesitate to give because we fear we will not have enough left for ourselves. However, Paul assures us that God will supply all our needs at all times. The more we sow, the more God will multiply our sowing. Conversely, if we are reluctant to sow generously, it would reveal our lack of trust in God’s all-sufficiency and grace.
Martin Luther once said, “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”
This Christmas season, let us give with gratitude and trust. As we bless others, may our generosity overflow in thanksgiving to God, both in our hearts and from those who receive grace through our giving.
Reflection:
Do you sometimes hold back in giving because you worry about having less? Is there a need that God have opened your eyes to, but you have not yet responded?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, thank You for Your grace in our lives. You provide us exactly what we need, that we may abound in every good work. Please help us to have a heart of generosity, that we may be a channel of your blessing to any who is in need, that praise and thanksgiving to You may abound. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.