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2 Corinthians 9:6-8
May 9, 2025 by Rebecca Littlejohn
DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 – The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. (NRSV)
As you know, the Bible is often of two minds on certain questions. On the relationship between virtue and money, the Bible says many different things. Some passages will imply that if you’re righteous, you will be rewarded materially and God’s blessing will be obvious in your life. Other verses seem to say that the righteous are continually being taken advantage of and suffering, while the wicked live in ease and comfort. We could probably look around and find evidence for either of these theories, if we tried.
What the Bible does say consistently is what we see in verse 8 here: that when we have enough, our response should be to share. We know from our participation in our faith community that we are blessed when we share with and serve others. Is this what it means to “reap bountifully”? Certainly it’s one sense of the phrase.
“Enough” is something that many of us struggle with. But we need to make a distinction between those who struggle because they really don’t have enough, and those who are struggling with not recognizing what “enough” looks like. When our trust in God is low, it’s hard to feel like we have enough. Do you believe that “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance”? Or are you mad because you feel like that hasn’t happened?
When we share what we have, willingly and joyfully, it is a blessing in and of itself. When God uses those who have enough to care for those who do not, the harvest of blessings is bountiful. When our trust in God helps us count our blessings and appreciate them, no matter how small, it brings good cheer. As we conclude our annual stewardship campaign, may we all open our hearts to the generosity of God, who loves us.