Eager Generosity - 2 Corinthians 9

Spring is coming and sounds like, according to the weather stations, we will see rain for a few days, possibly even a week. I am anticipating and eager to see my lawn after this downpour. That might sound odd, but I have worked hard with the proper weed killer, fertilizer, seed, and nurturing, so I am eager to see how the lawn progresses this Spring. 

It’s interesting when we invest in something how we love seeing the results. I have great anticipation, and eagerness builds up just thinking about my oldest daughter heading off to college soon. I am eager to see her flourish and grow in the new season of life, and I am so excited to see how God continues to grow her, and how she develops into a fully developed adult. 

Paul, in 2 Corinthians 9, connects some of these same feelings of eagerness and anticipation around generosity. For a quick refresher, Paul, in the previous chapter, gave instructions for the church of Corinth to work together and gather up an offering for the church in Jerusalem. The church didn't have much, so they had to save up over time. 

“For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul highlights their eagerness to help, and how their enthusiasm and attitude has stirred others to action as well. This is a key principle of generosity; our attitude and posture are essential because it can awaken others to action! 

Another key principle we see here is generosity is best leveraged with we are prepared and plan for it. You see, if you want to be a generous person, get ready, plan, and this will help you follow through on your good intentions. 

“But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

See the keyword, ready. Plan for it and build inhabits and disciplines to allow generosity to flow. This is something Robin and I have worked hard to do. We have our scheduled tithe and generous giving, but we also have a monthly amount we set aside for spontaneous generosity. When we see a need, we love being able to meet that need. We are naturally selfish people, so having this money set aside helps us freely give and not be greedy. We have a plan, and I encourage you to do the same. 

This next part is one of my favorites in all the Bible, and it connects to the eagerness and anticipatory generosity. 

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Sowing and reaping. Think about the farmer who has 3 options with his seed. He can eat the seed, store the seed, or plant the seed. There is a time to eat, a time to save, and a time to invest. Here we read about the heart of investing our resources, sowing our money generously. I can imagine the farmer, like me, with my lawn, eagerly and waiting with anticipation of his crops. Nurturing the ground and earth, praying for his seed to produce significant yields. This is exciting and should bring great joy. 

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Giving and generosity should not be done out of guilt, shame, or compulsion. Here is the planning part, the prayerful part, the part where we decide in our heart what we can do, and what we should do. God LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER! And do not skip the next verse. Paul circles back on the sowing and reaping. God is able to bless you abundantly, and He will provide and abound in every good work. WOW!

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Now Paul is just piling it on, and I love it. We cannot outgive God. And let me end with this significant part.

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How we handle our money reveals our character. Compassion and generosity are never merely about the person receiving our gift. Our outflow and generosity to others is part of our expression of love, gratitude, and thankfulness to the heart of God. Here are Jesus' words in the Gospel of Matthew.

“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” - ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:35-40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Eager generosity is beautiful.