6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 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!
Commentary
Vs. 6 "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
To begin, the Apostle Paul reiterates a Scriptural principal on sowing and reaping. For just as what one sows in the moral realm that they will also reap (Gal 6:7-8), so to this principal applies when it comes to our giving (Prov 11:24-25; 22:9). And so being generous, and all of the positive spin off effects from it, is not something that came to be in the New Covenant era. For throughout the Scriptures God has always commended generosity as a mark of true Godliness and righteousness (consider Isaiah 32:8). Therefore though we are not now commanded to give a certain amount, or even a certain percentage of what we posses; sowing sparingly means that one will only reap sparingly, while sowing bountifully means that one will reap bountifully. As God's Word says: "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." Therefore whether it is our being generous towards God (Luke 12:15-21), or our being generous towards our fellow person (Luke 16:1-15), you cannot sow sparingly (that is sow sparingly proportionate to what you already posses) and then think that you will reap bountifully from God, as Jesus warns, "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?" Luke 16:11-12 Therefore this principal of sowing and reaping should never be divorced from any preaching or teaching on our giving, since it is stated here first. Therefore take it to heart first, and then base your giving on it.
Vs. 7 "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."
Having presented to us all the Godly principal of sowing and reaping, the Apostle Paul now leaves it up to us to decide for ourselves just how much we will give; and thus whether we will reap sparingly or bountifully. Therefore we are all to give according to what we purpose in our own hearts, and not according to what someone else purposes for us to give in their hearts. For then we would not be giving according to our own hearts desires, but theirs. And very likely then our giving would only be done grudgingly, or of necessity, and not cheerfully as God desires that we all give. Therefore in the heart of every giver there must first be a willing heart if our gift is to have God's favor. For God loves a cheerful giver, not a begrudging one. And so commanding tithing is simply not to be done in the New Covenant era. For the Apostle Paul in all of His Apostolic Authority never did. Instead he by the Spirit of God, in accord with the grace of God, refuses to compel or command anyone to do so, even when the offering that he was gathering through these exhortations was for some very poor brethren. Therefore we are not to be judged by another believers conscience (whether pastor or teacher or anyone else) in regards to our giving, nor are we to judge them (Rom 14:4). Instead we are all to give as we purpose in our own hearts, and thus we are all to give not grudgingly, or of necessity, but willingly, so that all that we give is done so freely, for God loves a cheerful giver, not a begrudging one.
Having presented to us all the Godly principal of sowing and reaping, the Apostle Paul now leaves it up to us to decide for ourselves just how much we will give; and thus whether we will reap sparingly or bountifully. Therefore we are all to give according to what we purpose in our own hearts, and not according to what someone else purposes for us to give in their hearts. For then we would not be giving according to our own hearts desires, but theirs. And very likely then our giving would only be done grudgingly, or of necessity, and not cheerfully as God desires that we all give. Therefore in the heart of every giver there must first be a willing heart if our gift is to have God's favor. For God loves a cheerful giver, not a begrudging one. And so commanding tithing is simply not to be done in the New Covenant era. For the Apostle Paul in all of His Apostolic Authority never did. Instead he by the Spirit of God, in accord with the grace of God, refuses to compel or command anyone to do so, even when the offering that he was gathering through these exhortations was for some very poor brethren. Therefore we are not to be judged by another believers conscience (whether pastor or teacher or anyone else) in regards to our giving, nor are we to judge them (Rom 14:4). Instead we are all to give as we purpose in our own hearts, and thus we are all to give not grudgingly, or of necessity, but willingly, so that all that we give is done so freely, for God loves a cheerful giver, not a begrudging one.
Vs. 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."
Now to help forward our generous and free-will giving, the Apostle Paul now makes it clear that God is able to make all grace abound towards us, so that we always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work (vs. 8). Thus God's grace isn't just the means of our salvation, but it is also the means through which God blesses us all, so that we all might have an abundance for every good work. Notice that God bringing His blessing into our lives is for our being able to do the good in this world that God desires to be done. Yes God does indeed give us all things to richly enjoy, but that exhortation is given in the light of our being rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share (see 1 Tim. 6:17-19). And so enjoying the prosperity and good things that God has blessed you with is absolutely fine, just don't let riches dictate your life and your life's goals (consider Prov. 23:4-5; 27:20; 28:20; Matt. 6:19-24; 1 Tim 6:9-10; Heb 12:14). For there is so much more too this new life In Christ then merely striving for more (consider Ecc. 4:7-8).
Vs. 9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
Now in order to awaken our own desires to do the good that God desires that we all do, the Apostle Paul now cites Psalm 112:9 which states: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Thus to disperse freely and generously to the poor in their time of need is a righteousness that will never be forgotten by God. Thus each and every believer who makes it their business to be about bringing God's blessing to the poor, specifically their poor brethren (Matt 25:34-40), can look forward to being blessed forever by Him (consider Luke 12:12-14).
Vs. 10-11 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.
The Apostle Paul now makes his supplication to God, saying that just as God supplies seed to the sower; and thus through it comes bread by which many are nourished; so God who gives us "seed" (i.e. "the means") to sow His blessings in the earth, will multiply the seed that we have already sown, and will increase the fruits of our righteousness as we give freely and abundantly (vs. 10), which ultimately causes many thanksgivings to God (vs. 11). Notice again our being enriched by God in everything is for our liberality, that is that we might be able to be generous in our giving, which ultimately brings thanksgiving to God. And here the thanksgiving that would come to God, was coming through the Apostle Paul as he administered the Corinthians gift on their behalf. And so the needy saints would not only praising God for this, but the Corinthians themselves would also be, when Paul reports back to them all the good that God has done through them.
Vs. 12-15 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!
The administration of this service was not only supplying the needs of the saints, but was also causing many thanksgivings to abound towards God (vs. 12). As well this ministry (that was meeting the needs of many saints, i.e. brethren) was proof to them of the Corinthians love and faith. Therefore the Apostle Paul says that they glorify God for the Corinthians obedience to their confession of the gospel of Christ, and for their liberal sharing with them, and with all men (vs. 13). Now if there is a greater honesty to ones confession of faith in Jesus Christ then meeting the needs of those brethren who are in need I can't think of it. Thus the Corinthians by their doing so, weren't just being hearers of the Gospel, they were doers (consider Matt. 25:31-46; James 2:14-26; 1 John 3:16-18). Therefore let us all be doers of the Word so that all people everywhere will know that God is working mightily through His people for the benefit of all. Now the Apostle Paul also says that the saints were not only recipients of the Corinthians generosity, but they themselves were praying for them, and were longing to see them because of the exceeding grace of God at work in them. Quite a compliment for the Corinthians coming from those who were their "elders" in the faith. To conclude the Apostle Paul exudes with joy and thanksgiving towards God because of the Corinthians obedience to Him (vs. 15).
Scripture Quotations
Vs. 9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
Now in order to awaken our own desires to do the good that God desires that we all do, the Apostle Paul now cites Psalm 112:9 which states: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Thus to disperse freely and generously to the poor in their time of need is a righteousness that will never be forgotten by God. Thus each and every believer who makes it their business to be about bringing God's blessing to the poor, specifically their poor brethren (Matt 25:34-40), can look forward to being blessed forever by Him (consider Luke 12:12-14).
Vs. 10-11 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.
The Apostle Paul now makes his supplication to God, saying that just as God supplies seed to the sower; and thus through it comes bread by which many are nourished; so God who gives us "seed" (i.e. "the means") to sow His blessings in the earth, will multiply the seed that we have already sown, and will increase the fruits of our righteousness as we give freely and abundantly (vs. 10), which ultimately causes many thanksgivings to God (vs. 11). Notice again our being enriched by God in everything is for our liberality, that is that we might be able to be generous in our giving, which ultimately brings thanksgiving to God. And here the thanksgiving that would come to God, was coming through the Apostle Paul as he administered the Corinthians gift on their behalf. And so the needy saints would not only praising God for this, but the Corinthians themselves would also be, when Paul reports back to them all the good that God has done through them.
Vs. 12-15 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!
The administration of this service was not only supplying the needs of the saints, but was also causing many thanksgivings to abound towards God (vs. 12). As well this ministry (that was meeting the needs of many saints, i.e. brethren) was proof to them of the Corinthians love and faith. Therefore the Apostle Paul says that they glorify God for the Corinthians obedience to their confession of the gospel of Christ, and for their liberal sharing with them, and with all men (vs. 13). Now if there is a greater honesty to ones confession of faith in Jesus Christ then meeting the needs of those brethren who are in need I can't think of it. Thus the Corinthians by their doing so, weren't just being hearers of the Gospel, they were doers (consider Matt. 25:31-46; James 2:14-26; 1 John 3:16-18). Therefore let us all be doers of the Word so that all people everywhere will know that God is working mightily through His people for the benefit of all. Now the Apostle Paul also says that the saints were not only recipients of the Corinthians generosity, but they themselves were praying for them, and were longing to see them because of the exceeding grace of God at work in them. Quite a compliment for the Corinthians coming from those who were their "elders" in the faith. To conclude the Apostle Paul exudes with joy and thanksgiving towards God because of the Corinthians obedience to Him (vs. 15).
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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