Reaping a Harvest

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

To encourage the church in Corinth to give in support of the needs of the poor church in Jerusalem, Paul expands here on a well-known proverb that one reaps what they sow. His teaching here (and plenty of other Bible passages) is often misused to promote giving for the sake of more material gain for the giver. However, God's focus when one gives is on the condition of the heart- with her willingness and disposition in the act (v.7). The promise of what abounds to the giver isn't more possessions, but grace (v.8) which produces a harvest of good works (v.8) and righteousness (v.10) to the praise of God (v.11). Might this include the blessing of material things? It could, so that others will be blessed through the increase of those things, and God, who supplied the seed for the sower, will be glorified. So, we should give generously and cheerfully as a people whose deep desire is not greedy gain, as if our true joy is found there, but as those who love to gain more grace that abounds to increase praise to the Lord.

"...whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:6-11 ESV)