A Glad Giver

Draft, under review

2 Corinthians 9:6–15

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 the full chapter

Reflection

Paul was raising money, and he refused to use pressure. The churches of Macedonia, poor and under trial, had begged to take part in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem (2 Cor 8:1–4). Now Paul writes to the wealthier Corinthians, and his standard surprises us. He doesn't name an amount. He tells each person to give what they have decided in their own heart, not reluctantly and not because they feel forced, because God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7).

That word cheerful matters. God isn't after our money as such. He is after a heart that has been set free. Grudging generosity still treats the money as ours, handed over with a sigh. Glad generosity knows where everything came from.

So Paul points the Corinthians back to God. God has the power to pour out every grace on them, so that they have enough in everything and plenty for every good work (2 Cor 9:8). The point is not that giving is a way to get rich. Paul says God enriches us so that we can be generous (2 Cor 9:11), and the result is a wave of thanks to God (2 Cor 9:12). Generosity becomes worship spreading from one church to another.

And under all of it is the gift that can't be described. Christ, who was rich, became poor for our sake (2 Cor 8:9). Paul ends with thanks for God's indescribable gift (2 Cor 9:15). We give because we have been given to. Decide in your heart, give freely, and let it make you glad.

Word study: verified (STEPBible)

hilaros (Greek, Strong's G2431): cheerful, glad (2 Cor 9:7). It is the word God uses for the giver He loves. Paul sets it against lype (grief or reluctance, G3077) and ananke (compulsion, G318) in the same verse.

Cross-reference trail

  1. 2 Cor 8:1-5: Generosity out of poverty.
  2. 2 Cor 8:9: He became poor for your sake.
  3. Prov 11:24-25: The generous person is refreshed.
  4. Acts 20:35: Giving brings greater blessing than receiving.
  5. Luke 21:1-4: The widow who gave everything.

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Prayer

Generous God, You gave Your Son. Free my heart to give gladly, not out of pressure.

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