It Starts Small

Giving as a Christlike act of grace transcends merely addressing physical needs. It ignites a profound sense of thankfulness to God. This thankfulness surges forth like a mighty river. This divine sharing forges deep and lasting connections between believers who generously give and those who gratefully receive. In this extraordinary exchange, the remarkable generosity of Christians in Corinth can inspire Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Their generosity encourages them to lift their voices in glorifying God. It creates in them a fervent desire. They want to pray for and uplift their spiritual siblings scattered around the globe. This act unites hearts in love and faith.

 ⁸ And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

He distributed freely;
he gave to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.

¹⁰ Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

2 Corinthians 9:8-11

God is able to make all grace abound to you

The grace mentioned here is not referring to salvation or forgiveness of sins. God gives us all different types of grace. Grace is an undeserved gift. Thus, the rain, good health, and a clear mind are all a result of God’s grace. In this context, the grace refers to material provisions, money. A person might question, “If I give to God, will I have enough for myself?” Will I have enough to take care of my family?” And the clear answer is, “yes.”

God is absolutely more than capable of meeting every single need you and your family have! Every single thing in this vast universe is under His dominion and belongs to Him.

¹⁰ for every animal of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
¹¹ I know every bird of the mountains,
and the creatures of the field are mine.

Psalms 50:10-11

God passionately breathed the universe into existence! He intimately understands every single one of your needs and is profoundly capable of ensuring they are met. He might empower you to be a beacon of hope for others in their darkest hours. In His infinite wisdom, He may also send others to uplift and bless you when you find yourself in need.

It is absolutely vital for us to recognize that the physical provisions we receive from God are a beautiful expression of “grace.” Too many self-reliant individuals mistakenly believe that everything they possess is solely a result of their relentless labor. In doing so, they dismiss the magnificent hand of God in their lives.

¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Let us passionately embrace the truth that “every good gift is from above!” Every skill, every talent, and every opportunity we have is a magnificent divine blessing from God. Every precious ounce of health we possess is also a blessing from Him. Ultimately, all that we hold dear is an unearned and awe-inspiring gift of grace. Without God, we would not even have the breath of life!

God is capable of overwhelming you with His boundless grace! Our calling is to fervently embrace this truth and place our unwavering faith in Him. We must see ourselves with humility, recognizing that every blessing in our lives flows directly from His generous hand. When we truly grasp this reality, a passion ignites within us. We are driven to give freely and trust in the unwavering care of our Heavenly Father. Reflect on those moments of anxiety when financial worries weigh heavily on your heart; surrender these burdens to Him! Rest confidently in the promise that He will lavishly provide for all your needs.

That you may abound in every good work

Here in verse 10, we are reminded with fervor that God earnestly desires a return on His investment in you! He lavishly pours out His abundant blessings upon you, and there is a divine purpose behind it all. He longs for you to acknowledge His generosity. Do not boast in your own achievements. Do not glory in your own name. Rather, He fervently urges you to share freely, avoiding the temptation to hoard the treasures you have been graciously given!

³ You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

James 4:3

From this verse, we powerfully understand that God does not always shower us with abundant blessings. His grace is a precious gift, not a guaranteed overflow. When He discerns that a soul might selfishly squander the gifts, He may withhold His generosity. These gifts are bestowed upon them. Some souls pursue their own desires. God yearns for us to truly “abound in every good work.” The resources He entrusts to us are meant to be wielded for His glory. They open the door to immense opportunities for expanding His kingdom. In the parable of the talents, the master entrusted his servants with valuable resources. He fervently expected them to use these gifts wisely. He expected them to multiply their impact. In the same way, God gives us this grace. He wants us to be wise stewards. We can turn these into increased blessings for His kingdom.

List out some dynamic ways to unleash your financial power and physical resources to excel in every good work! Consider the myriad of impactful contributions you can make with your money—beyond mere donations to your local church. Fund youth programs that ignite passion in the next generation. Support local shelters that provide hope and warmth to those in need. Invest in community gardens that foster sustainability and connection. The opportunities are endless, and your resources can spark real change in your community and the world!

He has distributed freely

This passage is quoted from Psalm 112:9.

He distributes freely to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.
His horn will be exalted in honor.

Psalms 112:9

God is not stingy. He happily distributes resources to His people.

He supplies seed to the sower

In this powerful passage, the seed symbolizes not just money, but the very essence of materials that nurture our lives. This vivid illustration enriches our understanding of God’s divine role alongside our human responsibilities. It ignites a passionate call to embrace a Biblical worldview toward money. It urges us to see its potential as a tool for purpose and abundance in our journey of faith.

Firstly, it passionately reveals that He provides the seed. There is no such thing as a “self-made man.” Every resource, every moment of inspiration flows from God. In the book of Genesis, we encounter Adam, the devoted caretaker of the magnificent Garden of Eden. Yet, it was God who created this paradise; He entrusted it to Adam’s care. Adam’s divine calling was to work and cultivate, to nurture every inch of that sacred ground. He also was tasked with watching over the animals, bestowing them with names that echoed his stewardship. In essence, Adam was the wealthiest man to ever walk the earth. Everything in this world was his dominion, but ultimately, it all belonged to God. Adam was a steward, blessed with everything, yet it was all an outpouring of grace—a profound gift. As a steward, he was to safeguard these wonders. He had to do this in unwavering obedience to God. It was for the glory of His name.

The same is undeniably true today! Everything we possess, every blessing we receive, is a precious gift from God Himself, our ultimate Supplier. This profound reality stirs a deep humility within us, a reminder of our dependence on Him. It encourages us to wholeheartedly rely on His grace and providence in every moment of our lives!

Secondly, we embrace our powerful role as “the sower.” This noble title makes our purpose crystal clear: to nurture and spread the seeds of potential far and wide. Imagine a dedicated farmer who entrusts a worker with a bag full of seeds. He expects a passionate commitment to plant them deeply in the soil of opportunity. If that worker hesitates or falters, can you envision the farmer’s dismay? He will not sit idly by. Instead, he will reclaim his seeds. He will turn to someone who shares his ardor for the task. This person is ready to dig deep and cultivate the land with zeal. In like manner, God places resources in our hands to be used! He gives us seed that He expects to be sowed!

How does this perspective change how we use money? What are some uses of money that may not fit with this perspective?

Thirdly, when we wholeheartedly embrace our duty to sow the seed, we witness God’s miraculous provision of increase! A diligent worker plants every last seed in his bag. He is then rewarded with another from the generous farmer. Similarly, God will ensure that the industrious worker is never left wanting. He promises to “increase the harvest of your righteousness.” Those seeds of goodness will flourish, yielding a bountiful crop! Every good deed performed for the Lord echoes in eternity; it will never be in vain!

⁹ Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.

Galatians 6:9

We must cultivate a fervent and righteous attitude toward money! It is a divine blessing bestowed upon us by God, meant to be utilized for His glory and purpose. Take a moment to reflect. Is there any aspect of your perspective on money that calls for transformation? Does it resonate with the profound truths we’ve uncovered in this passage?

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way

Here once again, we witness the profound desire of God for a return on His investment in our lives. He blesses us abundantly, and in return, He yearns for us to share those blessings with others. This principle resonates deeply, transcending mere finances. When you immerse yourself in God’s Word, let that knowledge flow through you to uplift others. When you experience His goodness, don’t hold back—share your testimony with fervor! If you have a home, embrace hospitality with open arms, welcoming those in need. There are countless ways we can embody generosity and ignite a spirit of giving!

Paul continues with teaching us that generosity produces a heart of thanksgiving.

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Cross-References

• Matthew 6:26
• Matthew 6:30
• Philippians 4:19
• Matthew 7:11
• Psalm 37:25
• Psalm 34:10

Reflective Questions

• What does the “grace” in verse 8 refer to?
• What do we learn about God in this passage?
• What does it mean to have “all sufficiency in all things?”
• What result or return is God hoping to see from His investment of grace in you?
• In verse 10, what does the seed represent?
• For what purpose does God give us more seed?
• How are you supposed to use the seed you have been given? How specifically can you do this?
• How can the harvest of righteousness be increased with materials or money?

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 ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. ¹² For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³ Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. ¹⁴ And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:11-15

Which through us will produce thanksgiving

One of the ways the harvest of righteousness is increased is in thanksgiving. We see this theme is repeated again in verse 12.

¹² For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

2 Corinthians 9:12

Ministry is not just about meeting the needs of the saints. It is a vibrant outpouring of countless thanksgivings to God! God wants us to give not just for provision. More importantly, He wants our hearts ignited with gratitude for our Lord. A lack of gratitude is truly a sorrowful sight. Parents are often taken aback by children who grumble over the smallest inconveniences. They fail to pause and appreciate their abundant blessings. Yet, their hearts swell with pride when they see their children gracefully embrace gifts. Hearts and voices overflow with thanks for the giver. Likewise, our Heavenly Father rejoices with exhilaration. He is joyful when He sees us gratefully accept His gifts. He loves when we share them with others!

Who is the most thankful person you know? How does their words of gratitude effect others?

They will glorify God

The ultimate goal of generosity is to glorify God. This is a profound truth that shapes our very essence and approach to giving! It matters greatly because our mindset and actions in sharing what we have reflect our devotion. Yet, how often do we encounter individuals? In their generosity, they seek to bask in the spotlight. They do this for their own glory. They create a spectacle, drawing all eyes to themselves, and in doing so, they rob God of His rightful honor! The attention shifts. It moves away from the divine and focuses on humanity. This shift is a dangerous form of idolatry. It elevates man to the very place of God!

We must give while keeping our eyes firmly fixed on God. This ensures that He alone receives the glory He deserves. Let every ounce of gratitude be directed to Him! Jesus should be the heartbeat of every gift exchanged, for it is through Him that all blessings flow. Each gift is a beautiful chance to joyfully celebrate the abundant grace we’ve received from our Lord. It is a moment to reflect on His unconditional love that makes it all possible!

We must cast aside any desire to manipulate circumstances for our own attention or accolades. Our giving to God should never descend into mere empty words. We should not proclaim, “praise God,” while silently craving the approval of others. Instead, let’s fervently direct our hearts toward the boundless goodness of Christ. In doing so, we can ignite a spark in others. This encourages them to recognize and cherish the ultimate giver of all gifts.

While they long for you and pray for you

Believers must embrace a fervent attitude toward one another. They should unite in the powerful act of lifting each other up in heartfelt prayer. We ought to fervently seek deep, transformative Christian fellowship that ignites our spirits and strengthens our bonds.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift

Paul concludes his powerful discourse on giving with an impassioned statement. He declares that the greatest gift in all of history is none other than Jesus Christ! God selflessly gave us His only Son. This sacrifice should ignite a fire within us. We should give with abundant generosity. Jesus willingly laid down His life, embracing this profound act with joy and sacrifice. In that same fervent spirit, we are called to joyfully and sacrificially offer everything we possess for Him!

Based on these two chapters of principles on giving, what do you need to obey? Does your perspective toward money need to change? Does your giving plan need to be adjusted?

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Cross-References

• Ecclesiastes 11:6
• Isaiah 55:10-11
• Hosea 10:12
• Psalm 107:1
• Psalm 100:4
• Hebrews 13:15

Reflective Questions

• Why does God enrich His people?
• Share some different ways people have been generous to you?
• What are creative ways you can be generous to others?
• What outcome does generosity produce?
• Who is giving thanks, the giver or the recipient?
• Since a key goal of giving is generating more thanksgiving to God, how should this effect your own attitude and motivation toward giving?
• How does giving encourage people to glorify God?
• When does giving not glorify God?
• What indescribable gift does Paul refer to in verse 15? How does this motivate you?
• Have you evaluated your own giving yet? What key lessons will you keep in mind about giving as you move forward?

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