2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (ESV) … “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
When reading these verses in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, one cannot help but think of what Paul tells us in Acts 20:35. For in that passage Paul gives us the motto of the Lord Jesus, “it is more blessed to give than receive.”
In our focal passage, Paul is digging deeper into the principal of being a giver rather than a taker in life. The idea that we are to be a river of blessings to others is written all throughout the New Testament.
This principle before us doesn’t need much explanation because we see the truth of it in our everyday living. The more we sow in life, the better harvest we can expect to receive. For example, the more we save for retirement, the more we can expect to have when we do retire. The more friends that we make in life, the more friends we should have towards at the end of our life. The harder we study in school, the better the grades we should make.
This principle of reaping what we sow is lived out every day. Therefore, it should not surprise us when this principle is applied to our charitable generosity for others.
Furthermore, not only does Paul tell us that this type of living benefits us in the long run. Paul goes on to say to us that this type of life pleases God.
Additionally, Paul tells us that God does not force us to be givers but instead leaves the choice up to us. So then where does this kind of living begin? In the heart! The mind will always have reasons not to do something extra for someone else. However, the heart will ever feel the pull to go above and beyond the argument of the mind.
Again, we think of Jesus. The mind of our Lord could easily argue that dying for sinful man was a foolish idea. However, the heart of our Lord willingly gave himself on Calvary’s cross for us.
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