2 Corinthians 9
This devotional is written by Rebecca Farrow.
2 Corinthians 9
There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we – not to say anything about you – would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
Generosity encouraged
6 Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures for ever.’
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Generosity encouraged
6 Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures for ever.’
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Reflection
When I read this, I don't know about you but for me what jumps off the page is 'God loves a cheerful giver'.
The Message version is even more clear about what giving does for us 'God loves it when the giver delights in the giving'.
But hang on, isn't this massively hard when you are living hand to mouth? Homeless? Every security in your life, such as a shelter is taken away from you.
When I was a teenager due to divorce, my Mum, Brother, and I ended up living with a neighbour in their house. I often reflect on this massive generosity that was shown to me and my family at a desperate time when we really needed it. But it was given to us by a delighted and cheerful giver.
Around this time the local church was in need, and I remember my Mum putting a fiver in an envelope and posting it anonymously through a church wardens' door. I think a lot about this cheerful giving and how it wasn't the amount, but it was given in such delight at the way we had be looked after and gratefulness to God.
Thinking about the here and now, I have tried to be a 'reckless giver'. So much so, I only realised after a year that was giving to a Crispy Arts organisation that had ceased to operate. I find that that it is very much as case of listening to the spirit about giving.
Over the years, I have lent my home to people in need as I know what it means. I have also tried to give as the spirit leads. For me that means the arts and people and causes both within the church and out of it. In The Message it says that the palmist says, 'giving to the needy in reckless abandon'. For me that can a FSM kid going to RADA, or Afghan women or whatever, whatever, whatever, where the spirit leads.
I have been the person, at times at the front talking about the ways we have blessed by God by money. The fact that I am writing this in a home that I own is testament to that.
Buy your friend's drinks, meals, or whatever you feel led to.
I say again, God will pour blessings on you when you give.
I pray, you pray and we ask God to open our hearts and lead us in the spirit to be givers.
The Message version is even more clear about what giving does for us 'God loves it when the giver delights in the giving'.
But hang on, isn't this massively hard when you are living hand to mouth? Homeless? Every security in your life, such as a shelter is taken away from you.
When I was a teenager due to divorce, my Mum, Brother, and I ended up living with a neighbour in their house. I often reflect on this massive generosity that was shown to me and my family at a desperate time when we really needed it. But it was given to us by a delighted and cheerful giver.
Around this time the local church was in need, and I remember my Mum putting a fiver in an envelope and posting it anonymously through a church wardens' door. I think a lot about this cheerful giving and how it wasn't the amount, but it was given in such delight at the way we had be looked after and gratefulness to God.
Thinking about the here and now, I have tried to be a 'reckless giver'. So much so, I only realised after a year that was giving to a Crispy Arts organisation that had ceased to operate. I find that that it is very much as case of listening to the spirit about giving.
Over the years, I have lent my home to people in need as I know what it means. I have also tried to give as the spirit leads. For me that means the arts and people and causes both within the church and out of it. In The Message it says that the palmist says, 'giving to the needy in reckless abandon'. For me that can a FSM kid going to RADA, or Afghan women or whatever, whatever, whatever, where the spirit leads.
I have been the person, at times at the front talking about the ways we have blessed by God by money. The fact that I am writing this in a home that I own is testament to that.
Buy your friend's drinks, meals, or whatever you feel led to.
I say again, God will pour blessings on you when you give.
I pray, you pray and we ask God to open our hearts and lead us in the spirit to be givers.
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