2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 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.
Paul addresses two possible attitudes the Corinthians may have. These attitudes reveal the motive of the heart. First, there is the stingy attitude: persons will not give because it will take too much of their personal funds. There is little blessing in giving sparingly. The stingy person in giving reveals what is inside. This type of attitude will show up in other areas of life. It reveals a lack of love for others. This will effect relationships and put up walls between other people. It creates a pessimism which can deteriorate one’s faith and hope, leading to doubt and discouragement. Generosity will change one’s attitude to be more giving and loving to others. There are many spiritual blessings that come from generous giving. Giving generously may be a test of faith and an opportunity for our trust in God to grow. By growing our trust in God, it also grows our love for others. Trust and love always go together.
The second attitude addressed here is reluctance to give. A person can come up with many excuses for not giving to a ministry or need like the project Paul and his companions had organized for the saints in Jerusalem. We might say that we need the money for something else. We have financial plans. Most of the time, those so-called “needs” are more wants than necessities. We should give willingly, not because of manipulation or force. God does not need our money. He will raise up resources from others of his people. To give to a need is our privilege and opportunity to be a blessing to others and to be blessed.
How do we decide in our hearts? First, we should pray. God will lead us and may even challenge us to give out of faith. Second, we must come to a conviction about what to give. There may be many factors involved in this. For some people, it will be a simple trust moment when an amount comes to their minds. Other people may have to consider many factors, such as their financial status, including bills and other obligations. The more simple we can make our lifestyle, the more we have to give to needs and ministries. If we clutter our lives with so much stuff, all this stuff needs to be paid for, kept up, and stored. It is amazing how little we can get by with if we set our priorities according to God’s leading.
The last statement further reveals a third attitude: God loves it when we give out of joy. We want to give because we trust in God and love the people in need. There should be no debate in a situation like what Paul describes in this letter. The believers in Jerusalem were experiencing great financial need, possibly due to persecution and famine. Other believers had the means to help them. It is not a matter of whether or not to participate in this. Rather, the issue is whether the Corinthians will give cheerfully and with an attitude of love and participation. Paul does not want to show up in Corinth and have to force the issue. This is an opportunity to step up as believers and see themselves as part of a larger community, a global church.
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