I want to look at the first step to placing God first in our lives and with our finances in particular. Christ proclaimed these words, recorded in Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38). Here is the overriding principle we are going to explore together. If we are generous, God will repay us in the same measure.
I am so thankful to be a part of a genuinely generous church family. Crosswinds is a giving church, giving to one another, our community, region, and beyond. For some, this writing will be an encouragement to continue in generosity. For others, it will be a challenge to restart or begin a lifestyle of generosity. For all of us, may it lead us to commit to biblical generosity.
Interestingly, this call to commitment was presented by Paul nearly 2,000 years ago. We are going to explore 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. Let’s look at the text in context. Paul had sent Titus and two brothers to make sure the Corinthians had prepared their offering for those in need in Jerusalem so that he and they would not be ashamed when Paul arrived with the representatives from Macedonia. He now encourages them to be cheerful givers.
We are going to look at the principles of cheerful giving. Let’s begin by looking at verses 6: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” There is a spiritual law at work in giving. The familiar farm illustration states both the positive and the opposite negative idea. The negative point emphasizes the truth that when a person makes it a habit to give only a little. Then, he or she can expect very little in the way of blessings. The positive point is that the personal rewards are great for those who habitually give generously. Paul is applying the “Law of the Harvest” to the sharing and giving of our material resources.
Paul continues in verse 7: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Cheerful givers give generously and as they have decided in their hearts. Giving comes from making a choice – a purposeful and deliberate decision.
I am encouraged by these words Paul writes: “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” (v.8). Cheerful givers give because they love God and others. All of God’s blessings are available to us when we give cheerfully to His work because we become partners with Him. “As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever” (v. 9). Cheerful givers understand that their acts of generosity endures forever. The cheerful giver’s acts will bring eternal blessings to those who receive and to those who give.
Then, Paul reaches back and picks up on the theme of sowing and reaping, and in what sounds like a prayer and a blessing, writes: “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness” (v.10). Cheerful givers experience a multiplied ability to be generous. When we give ourselves and our money to God’s work, He multiplies the results beyond the expectations of natural cause and effect (see: Matt 14:14-21). Paul is reminding the Corinthians and us about the provident nature of God very much in the spirit of Jesus, who in the sermon on the mount told His followers not to be anxious about food or clothing or shelter because “your heavenly Father knows that you need all things” (Matt 6:32). Paul assures us of this: God will provide us with enough not only to meet our needs but also to help others. When anyone insists they are not able to give generously to the cause of Christ, they are contradicting these statements from Scripture. It’s important to remember God does not define generosity by amount, but sacrifice, not merely money, but our time, talent, (yes) treasure, and testimony.
Then, Paul addresses God’s purpose in lovingly giving to us: “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (v. 11). Cheerful givers understand that the purpose of God’s giving to us is that we, too, might be givers. Cheerful givers are blessed by God for their generosity. Those who experience the generous spirit of God’s people often, as a result, offer thanks to God Himself.
Paul concludes his thoughts on a cheerful giver by reminding us that giving has spiritual results: “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you” (vv. 12-14). Cheerful givers acknowledge their generosity is a blessing to others and brings glory to God. The gift from the Corinthians will not only supply the needs of the poor in Jerusalem but also will glorify God by causing those Christians to give many thanksgivings. Being cheerful givers proves our love for God and others. Paul makes it clear that what looked like a money-raising project was, in reality, a kingdom-building event. One of the things most needed in giving is the ability to look beyond the gift to what God will do with it.
Then, Paul writes this final statement in verse 15: “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” Cheerful givers understand that their generosity was ultimately exemplified by God through Christ. God’s “inexpressible gift” of His Son establishes the pattern and motivation for our own generosity (see: John 13:34-35). Here it is in a nutshell: Being a cheerful giver positions you to be blessed as a giver, to be a blessing to those who receive, and bring glory to God by advancing His kingdom. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!