“2 Corinthians 9:6-9”

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, 'He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.'"

---End of Scripture---

It is important for us to consider just how much space is devoted to this collection effort. We have here two solid chapters on some of the most practical and easily understood treatments regarding authorized worship in all of the New Testament. So, how important is our giving? VERY IMPORTANT!

In yesterday's reading, the text focuses a great deal on the background of this giving providing details on the scope of time involved in this benevolence - a year! We are also provided with Achaia's promises that provided a justified position of boasting by Paul. In verses 6-9, we transcend the historical context and deal with perhaps the most practical section of verses in these two chapters.

In verse 6 lays down an analogical agricultural principle: "he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." No doubt, Paul has Proverbs 11:24-25 and 22:8 in mind. But this principle is not just biblical, it's also recognized in ancient secular literature (Cicero, De Oratore 2.65.261; Aristotle, Rhetoric, 3.3). God provides over and above for His people and here illustrates in no uncertain terms that the gift is not just a blessing to the saints in Jerusalem but to all those who gave too. We see in this how important and blessed we are to participate in the collection that takes place on the first day of every week (1 Corinthians 16:1-4). Jesus taught this principle of eternal and more substantive reward for our acts of charity during His ministry (Matt. 25:34-40; Mark 10:30; Luke 6:38; compare 2Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7-10; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:23-25). From Paul’s letter, Corinth will clearly see the abundant blessings they would reap if they gave (9:8-10, 12a, 12b-14).

In verse 7, we read one of the most cited verses during the giving in our worship: "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Paul does not use a verb in the first part of this sentence to emphasize that the performance of giving is not what matters, but rather the emphasis is on God’s love to cheerful givers. Each person must manifest a prior resolve before giving. Moreover, giving must not be done grudgingly (i.e. out of sadness, reluctance, or regret) or of necessity (i.e. out of a sense of duty to peers or to save face). God loves a cheerful (Greek: hilaros, where our word “hilarious” finds origin) giver. This is most likely an allusion to Proverbs 22:9 in the LXX (Septuagint). We must happily be willing to help! (Romans 12:8; Hebrews 13:16)

In verse 8, we come across two concepts that pervade the letter - grace and sufficiency. Corinth’s ability to give, as well as ours, is predicated upon the grace shown us by God. Our ability to give is enabled because of His grace. As God works in power, we recognize the awesome results in the lives of believers (Luke 1:49).

Paul plays on the idea that God’s grace is sufficient to make the Corinthians more than sufficient (cf. Phil. 4:11; 1Tim. 6:6) to fulfill their previous pledge. Through His power, His grace is made to abound (cf. 4:15; 12:9) toward them (cf. Prov. 11:24). In the original language there is p-alliteration throughout the verse (5x) emphasizing universality. While anyone can observe the disastrous calamities that result in a "health and wealth gospel understanding of verse like these, we would be remiss to neglect that the verse does suggest enablement by God to meet needs. Many are prevented from giving to the poor and needy for fear that they will become destitute. And no doubt, there needs to be wisdom in sharing our funds. But, honestly, how many people do you personally know that have become destitute being engaged in good deeds? Perhaps, this is an excuse that we may sometimes hide behind that we need to come out from behind.

In verse 9, we have an Old Testament quotation taken from Psalms 112:9. Psalm 111 extols God’s righteousness, but Psalm 112 contrasts the fading nature of the wicked versus the enduring nature of the righteous. Paul’s basic premise is that a gracious person engaged in righteous deeds will continue to do so as long as God grants him life. The word for righteousness here is a technical term for alms giving (cf. Matt. 6:1).

So in our giving, let us do so cheerfully, abundantly, and by God's grace and enablement. Let us look to the examples of those with barely enough to survive who gave everything for the gospel. Let us put the glory of the kingdom first before our materialism.

Please read 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 for tomorrow!

- By Eric Parker

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