Summary
Paul in this chapter was commending the Corinthians on their willingness and enthusiasm to give to their fellow saints in Jerusalem. Paul carefully analyzed the principle of sowing and reaping especially when it is done with a cheerful heart. He encouraged them to be thus likeminded knowing that the beneficiaries of their generosity will continue to bless them.
He added that God was able to multiply their seeds of love and cause them to have much more in return.

Life application
Giving is one of the ways we show kindness, care and love to people around us. When we bless people especially with what they need, they are blessed and our God is glorified in the act. God requires that his children would be a supply pipe, as we receive from him, we also should spread abroad, and then he will multiply and cause the work of our hands to flourish. Giving is not limited to material things; however the act of providing for the needs of others with the right attitude would attract the blessings from God. Let us give cheerfully.

Personal declaration
I give cheerfully and will also receive the rewards of giving.

Reading – 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

9 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. ² For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last yearyou in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 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. 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. 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.

Generosity Encouraged

⁶ 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. 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. ⁹ As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”^[a]

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. 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.

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. 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. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Footnotes:

1. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Psalm 112:9