1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

3Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

4Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

5Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

14And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Paul

Date Penned: (55-57 AD)

Overview: Paul Addresses the Church (c 1-13)

Theme: Paul Defends the Collection (c 8-9)

Message: God Loves Cheerful Givers (v 1-15)

2 Corinthians 9 Commentary

(9:1-15) The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem - This passage reminds the Corinthians of their initial enthusiasm for the Jerusalem collection, their delight that God could use them to help other believers. Their enthusiasm was contagious. The Macedonians had heard of their eagerness and had also eagerly responded to the appeal for money. As Paul was preparing to collect the last of the contributions, however, the Corinthians’ enthusiasm had waned. The collection had ground to a halt. Paul was worried that when he came to Corinth the Corinthians would give grudgingly. God wants cheerful givers and enthusiastic team players (9:7). He can do without selfish and disgruntled givers.

LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of 2nd Corinthians with Chapter 9 and in our text we see Paul reminding us that God loves a cheerful giver for it is an expression of worship. In God's reply to our worship He blesses us with harvests of bountiful blessings. In making application we see this same principle at work as those who sow sparingly reap sparingly and those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully. Today some try to manipulate this principle for personal gain but the truth is our giving to God is a heart expression in worship to our God for where our treasure is there is our heart also. How about you? Do you give to the Lord? Let us learn from our text today and Paul's reminder that our Lord loves a cheerful giver, as it is an expression of worship, and He acknowledges our worship to Him allowing us to reap what we sow.

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