2 Corinthians 9:6-9 – Attitudes in giving

In verses 6-9 Paul reminded the Corinthians of the principles of giving. Like sowing seeds, the harvest will always commensurate with the amount one had sown. A farmer who sows little reap a meager harvest but the one who sows plentifully will reap a rich harvest.

In giving, one’s attitude and what one considers matters. Everyone who gives must give with a spirit of willingness not grudgingly. He must not give as if he was compelled to do so. So Paul urged the Corinthians to give thoughtfully with due and careful consideration, and then give with the attitude of cheerfulness. Because God loves one who gives cheerfully.

Giving, Paul maintained, ought to be done with trust. In what ways should we trust God in our giving? We trust God to provide, to multiply and to enrich us in everything. He assured the Corinthians that when they stayed open to God, He could provide through them corporately. The apostle wanted them to know that God didn’t just bless them so that they could enjoy His provision. But He blessed them so that they could be His channels of blessings as well.  In so doing, they would abound in every good deed.

In verse 9 Paul quoted Psalm 112:9 which speaks about a person who trusts in the Lord. That person who trusts the Lord scatters his gifts to the poor, and his righteousness endures forever. Paul quoted this verse to show God provides for His people so that through them He could provide for others.

We are blessed to be a blessing. God blesses us daily so that through us He could also bless others. Being self-absorbed and inward looking can cause a person to become selfish, careless and miserable. That’s not what God wants of us. He would rather that we be open, caring and find the joy of being a blessing to others.