April 3, 2014
HE WHO SOWS BOUNTIFULLY WILL ALSO REAP BOUNTIFULLY
2 Corinthians 9
Shawn Foster
Central Truth
God will come through for you one hundred percent of the time. Live generously, and you will be richly rewarded to the glory of God.
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 9:10
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. (2 Corinthians 9:10)
2 Corinthians 9
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
1 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending 1 9:3 Or I have sent the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift 2 9:5 Greek blessing; twice in this verse you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. 3 9:5 Or a gift expecting something in return; Greek greed
The Cheerful Giver
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully 4 9:6 Greek with blessings; twice in this verse will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency 5 9:8 Or all contentment in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they 6 9:13 Or you will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Dive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 9
The "law of sowing and reaping" can be twisted into prosperity preaching, which I avoid. Our central truth is not about building our kingdom; it's about the fact that God is faithful one hundred percent of the time. Early in my career and several times thereafter, I found too much month at the end of the money. Sometimes, this was due to dumb decisions and bad leadership on my part. Other times, it was because of circumstances beyond my or my family's control. Whatever the cause, we went through financial crises far too many times.
This chapter tells us that we reap what we sow and that God loves a cheerful giver. When we are not able, He is able. God wants our full devotion, not just a token tithe. He wants our whole hearts. His love is never failing, and His promises are true. So we should devote our hearts and lives to Him on a daily basis. Then we will bear the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23a). Our God "will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, NASB)
He will do this not so that we can look good and live in comfort, but so that our generosity will result in thanksgiving to God, an increase in Jesus' fame, and the advancement of God's kingdom. When we give our time, talents, and treasures to Him, there are no losers. We store up treasures in heaven, and others come to know the One who came to give us abundant life (John 10:10).
Discussion Questions
1. How do you respond when the topic of giving comes up? Defensive, suspicious, guilty, generous, eager, or amazed at God's economy?
2. Have you experienced what it means to sow to please the sinful nature? Or to please the Spirit? (See Galatians 6:8-9).
3. How would you describe someone who lives generously?
4. Can you remember a time when God rescued you from a crisis, financially or otherwise?