2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NKJV
Paul began this chapter praising the Corinthians for their enthusiasm to minister to the needs of their fellow saints at Jerusalem. He encouraged them to prepare their gift ahead of time, stressing the importance of being ready and willing to give generously and not grudgingly. Throughout Scripture, the act of giving not only benefits those who receive but also those who give. King Solomon said that the generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself (Prov.11:25).
In today’s passage Paul continued his instruction of Christian giving, using a farming metaphor Jesus taught: “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (v.6). Just as farmers have seasons of sowing and reaping, so do believers whose reward is based on whether they sow sparingly or generously. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (v.7). Paul is stressing that believers’ giving should be willingly from the heart with love and joy because God loves a cheerful giver. It can be an act of kindness, time, or money. Remember that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. What greater love is there?
Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”