One Year Journey Through the New Testament
2 Corinthians 9
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Administering the Gift
1 Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; 2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. 3 Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; 4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.
(2 Corinthians 9:1–5, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Paul continues to discuss the need for Corinth to provide an offering for the churches in Judea. He makes it clear that he believes their zeal for this project will make a big difference for them.
- However, to be sure they do it right, Paul has sent brothers to Corinth to make sure they are able to meet their goal. He wants them to live up to their potential. He wants them to do well, and to be proud of their efforts to help others.
The Cheerful Giver
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap 4bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:
“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
(2 Corinthians 9:6–15, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Paul then shares some of the most well-known passages in the Bible. He speaks of the reciprocal blessing of sowing and reaping. The more you sow, the more you will reap.
- He instructs the Corinthians to give as they feel in their heart, not grudgingly, but cheerfully. He shares that grace will about to those cheerful givers, because God loves the cheerful giver.
- Paul reminds the Corinthians that God supplies seed to the sower, and prays that He will multiply their seed into a great harvest of righteousness.
- Giving produces thanksgiving, and prayers, and righteousness. Give. Give much, Watch God move in response!
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 