2 Corinthians 9 reminds me of my favorite part of Christmas morning. I spend lots of time leading up to the day trying to think of the perfect gift for each person. Sometimes you can see the delight in the eyes of the recipient, and you know you nailed it. I call this the joy of giving. Today’s lesson is about finding the perfect gift. Paul continues his exhortation to the Corinthians concerning their “eagerness to help”. He has been boasting about their “service to the Lord’s people”, noting that they have become an example to other churches. “Your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action”. Paul adds a reminder for all of us to keep our commitments. He says give the “gift you had promised”. Perhaps to make sure a pledge is not used maliciously to guilt people into giving more, Paul focuses on our attitude in giving. It should be “a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given”. When giving becomes a burden, there is no blessing. The perfect gift produces giddy anticipation in the giver and joyful gratitude in the recipient. Gifts given out of obligation produce resentment. The best way to discourage generosity is to turn it into an expectation and never express appreciation.
Next Paul explains a biblical principle that applies to much of life; “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously”. Farmers understand that the amount you plant will have a direct impact on how much you harvest. The more time and energy invested in an activity or a relationship, the richer the result. He applies this concept to our charitable giving. Paul includes a very important guiding principle. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion”. This concept allows for the uniqueness in people. Some have spreadsheets with every dollar listed, others are very sensitive to the needs around them. But there is a strong warning against being coerced into giving. Paul says the exact opposite, “for God loves a cheerful giver”. Reluctant giving brings no joy to the giver. I have embraced giving as a deeply personal act of worship. I believe that everything I have, from health, to possessions, to peace, comes from God. Giving the first fruits of my labor honors His provision. Paul adds, “God is able to bless you abundantly… in all things at all times… you will abound”. Generosity is an attitude, not a dollar amount, and it tends to overflow into every other part of our life. Are you living abundantly?
Paul closes with a different way to view the world. He refers to God’s inexhaustible riches, “He who supplies seed to the sower… will… increase your store of seed”. The seeds in storage are potential, but nothing grows until it is planted. Some of us spend too much time taking inventory. Paul says that scattering more seeds will “enlarge the harvest of your righteousness”. I believe this means we can improve the world around us by regularly dispensing God’s grace. God’s forgiveness produces joy and a desire to extend His mercy to others. Thanksgiving is contagious. Paul says “Your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God”. Paul adds a critical new idea, “not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people”. The Christian church is to extend mercy to all, so that “others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ”. Jesus said we are to love one another. Nothing demonstrates love more than “your generosity in sharing with them”. Paul concludes, “their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you”. Friend, God’s mercy was nailed to the cross to save you from your sins. Forgiveness is given to all who will believe. The perfect gift now sits at the right hand of God interceding for you. I say, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”