2 Corinthians 9:6-15 - The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

In our Bible reading from 2 Corinthians 9, Paul encourages the Corinthians to be generous in their giving. He reminds them that God loves a cheerful giver, and that whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, but whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully. Just as farmers sow seeds and receive a harvest, so too will generous givers receive abundance from God to enable further generosity. Paul assures the Corinthians that God is able to provide all that is needed so His people can abound in every good work. When Christians give generously, it results in thanksgiving to God and meets real needs among God's people.

Paul's words on generosity challenge us to consider how generously or sparingly we have been sowing through our giving. Have we given out of obligation, or has our giving flowed from cheerful, willing hearts? God does not want us to give begrudgingly or under compulsion. He loves to see the joyful, willing spirit in His people as they support His work through their resources. When we give generously as God has prospered us, He faithfully provides all that we need and more. Our giving enables the gospel to spread further and meets real needs, resulting in thanksgiving to God. May we follow Paul's encouragement to sow bountifully, trusting that God will multiply our gifts to enable even greater generosity and an abundance of every good work.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the generous example of Your Son Jesus, who though He was rich became poor so that through His poverty we could become rich. Help us to be cheerful givers who sow bountifully, not out of compulsion but with willing hearts. Increase our resources that we may continue to support the spread of Your gospel and meet real needs among Your people. May our giving result in thanksgiving to You and glory to Your name. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.