Giving

2 Cor. 9:6-8

The point is this: 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 compulsoin, 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. 

Paul has continued his teaching on giving. He is confident that the Corinthians will respond as they should and help meet the need of the Christians in Jerusalem. He believed this so much that he has sent the brothers on ahead to collect their gift. Then he reiterated the point again. How you give is directly related to what you receive. Paul proceeded to give reasons why believers should give.

• God loves a cheerful giver.
• God is able to give them [and any believer] grace enough so that they would experience all sufficiency in all things
• He who supplies the seed for the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. 
• They [and all believers] will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way
• This will produce thanksgivings to God
• When the receiver receives, they will glorify God because of your submission to God, your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution. 
• They will long for you and will pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God upon you

For these reasons and for so many others, Paul concluded with, Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!  I think the spirit of generosity is so difficult for believers because it cuts across our basic selfishness and our instinct to survive. Both of these areas are not godly and actually run counter to the grace of God that abounds toward us. God wants to give us all that we need. He wants to be the supplier so that we don't have to be the hoarder. We can give freely and uninhibited!

Father,

The next time a wave of selfishness floods my inner spirit, give me Your strength to crush it. Help me to give as you would have me give, cheerfully and only to glorify You.

In Jesus name,

Amen