August 22nd 2 Corinthians, 9
1: For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3: Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4: Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 5: Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. 6: But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10: Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11: Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12: For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14: And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15: Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
In this chapter Paul begins by saying that as far as ministering to the needs of the believers in the church, that he has nothing to say, because he knows that they are very busy in the service of God. In fact he says I’m so proud of you that I have been boasting to the Macedonians about you and your zeal to serve God has been an example to all who hear of it. However, I sent the brothers to you to make sure that out boasting was not in vain. And I didn’t want you to be unready when l arrive to receive your gifts for the famine relief. I just want to encourage you by saying that the farmer that sows much seed receives a bigger harvest. So let every man give according to what he thinks is right, not grumbling or thinking that he is obliged, because the Lord loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all his grace overflow to you so that you will always have everything that you need and will abound to every good work. (As is it written, He that gives much he has given to the poor and his righteousness remains forever. The one who gives seed to the sower is the provider of bread for food and the seed is multiplied and the harvest is the fruit of righteous deeds) And being abundant in every good work, you will be enriched by the Lord and this will cause you to give thanks to God. This service to God not only supplies the needs of the believers, but it is fruitful too in bringing much thanksgiving to God. Those who receive the relief will also give glory to God, because of your obedience to the Gospel of Christ. The benefits of your giving are so many. They will even begin to pray for you and to thank God for the overflowing grace of God in you. May thanks be unto God for his indescribable gift.
Steve
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