Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 2 Corinthians 9 and Psalm 127

2 Corinthians 9 promises us that when Christians give willingly, freely, joyfully and generously (v.6-7), God uses that generosity to produce many good outcomes. Using an agricultural metaphor, the apostle Paul explains that just as generously sowing seed in the ground later produces a generous crop, so too generous financial giving is sure to produce great fruit.

What sort of fruit can we expect to be produced by Christian generosity?

Firstly, generous giving produces even more generous giving. By giving generously we participate in the blessed cycle of God’s provision. When we show ourselves to be faithful in using our God-given resources for Kingdom purposes, God continues to entrust us with such resources. This is not so that we can be enriched, but so that we can continue to be His ‘agents’ in providing for the needs of others. God responds to our generosity by entrusting more resources to us with which we can be generous (see v.8 and 10). We could say that being generous qualifies us to be used in God’s supply chain. What a joy!

Secondly, by giving generously we cause others to give thanks and praise to the Lord (see v.11 & 12). This is why its so important for Christians to give anonymously as far as possible. When we let others know that we have given to them, they might mistakenly thank us and think more highly of us, when in truth we have only been agents of God’s generosity. He is the True Supplier of their needs, and when we give in secret, only He can be thanked and praised! What a joy to be the reason someone else praises God!

¹² So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

Life application: Has God supplied me with something material which I know is meant to be passed on to someone else to meet their genuine need? Ask God for guidance and for the grace to give it to them freely, willingly and joyfully. If at all possible, do so without them knowing it has come to them through you.