2 Corinthians 9: More about the Collection

• v.1-5 Further Comments on the Collection
• v.6-15 Generosity Encouraged

[Chapter Synopsis: The chapter is in two parts: first, explanation of why the team is coming and, second, spiritual principles of giving that will bless the givers, the receivers and God and the church generally.]

v.1-5 Further Comments on the Collection

[Passage Synopsis: he’s sending the team of three just to help out with last minute administration of the collection before they take it to Jerusalem.]

v.1 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people.

v.2 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.

v.3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.

v.4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.

v.5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

[Note: I don’t really need to repeat myself for I’m aware of how eager you are to give, as I told the Macedonians. I’m sending the team of three to check that you’re ready and we won’t send the locals because we don’t want to be shown up after our boasting, hence I’m sending the team to help out.]

v.6-15 Generosity Encouraged

[Passage Synopsis: There are spiritual laws for giving: if you give generously, God will bless you, but give from your hearts, not by command, and your giving will be heard around the church and will result in praise and glory to God.]

v.6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

v.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.

v.8 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.

v.9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

v.10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

v.11  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.

v.12 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.

v.13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

v.14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

v.15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

[Note: Don’t forget the law – sow sparingly, reap sparingly; sow generously and you will reap generously.  Give from your heart, not legalistically and God will reward you with all you need at any time, just like it said in the psalms [Psa 112:9]. So God who is our provider will richly reward you in order that you can continue being a generous people, so this produces not only material blessing but spiritual also, because by your giving, others will praise God, and as they pray their hearts will go out to you, so let’s thank Him that He is such a giver.]

Chapter Brief Summary/Recap:

Ch. 9: More about the Collection

• Paul explains why the team is coming – to help out with last minute admin.
• He spells out spiritual principles of giving be generous and give from the heart – and that will bless the givers, the receivers and God and the church generally.

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: