◄ What Does 2 Corinthians 9:8 Mean? ►

As Christians, we are not under the Law but under grace. We are encouraged to be generous in our gifts and giving, not as a legal requirement or because a percentage of our income is required to meet the demands of a church body or the dictums of a denomination, but simply because cheerful giving and wise generosity is something that delights the heart of the Lord Who has saved us by His grace and has given us all things to richly enjoy, due to His over-abundant kindness.

As sinners saved by grace, we understand that the lavish liberality of the grace of God has been poured out on all those that trust in His name, for though we were dead in our trespasses and sins with no hope in the world, God sent His Son to die for us on the Cross and gave us a gift at enormous cost to Himself; a free gift of grace to all who believe, a gift which has eternal consequences.

But in its context, this verse is unpacking a principle from God that is found throughout His Word. In Proverbs we read that a generous person will prosper and whoever refreshes others will himself be refreshed, while Job reminds us that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same. And in Galatians, Paul writes the famous words: "What a man sows, that he will reap." And in these closing words to the Corinthian church, Paul is again discussing the wisdom of generosity, in contrast with the folly of selfishness.

We are not to develop an anti-scriptural 'prosperity gospel' mentality, but are to be circumspect in our giving. We are to give cheerfully and not from a reluctant heart; and it is better not to give at all than to harbour thoughts of resentment in our gifts. Giving should also be a personal choice that is made in the quietness or our own hearts and not a reaction to the expectation of other people. It should be a deliberate choice and not an action performed for the praise of men, but rather to glorify our Father Who is in heaven, for God loves a cheerful giver: "And He is able to make every grace overflow to you so that in every way, always having everything you need so that you may excel in every good work."

Heavenly Father, thank You for the free gift of salvation and all that You have lavishly bestowed on me freely, by Your grace. Give me a generous heart that gives willingly and cheerfully to others, as a product of my love for You. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.