So that, always having all sufficiency in everything...

2 Corinthians 9 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; ² for I know your willingness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. ³ But I have sent the brothers, in order that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you will be prepared; ⁴ otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to mention you—would be put to shame by this confidence. ⁵ So I considered it necessary to urge the brothers that they go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously promised generous gift, that the same would be ready as a generous gift, and not as one grudgingly given due to greediness.

⁶ Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; ⁹ as it is written:

“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.”

¹⁰ Now 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; ¹¹ you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. ¹² For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. ¹³ Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, ¹⁴ while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

In Malachi 3:10 it says: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and put Me to the test now in this,” says the Lord of armies, “if I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” Today’s text says: The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously. Each one must do just 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 overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. The overflow of abundance is so that we will have all sufficiency for every good deed. The principle of reaping and sowing does apply to our giving, but it also applies to what we do. For example, in Mark 11:25-26 Jesus says: “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you for your offenses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your offenses.” If we sow unforgiveness, we will reap unforgiveness. If we sow in judgement, we will reap judgement on ourselves. In Matthew 7:1-2 Jesus says: “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”

Colossians 3:17 says: Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. What we do in the name of Jesus should not be done reluctantly or under compulsion. It should not be that we give or serve God to receive more of His benefits. All that we give and all that we do should be done as a matter of heart. Psalm 37:4 says: Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.  When our hearts are aligned with Him, we will have all that we need. The text says: 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 everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. Philippians 4:19 says: God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. God not only supplies all of our needs, but He also multiplies our seed for sowing. The more we give, the more He will supply. God’s supply is endless and as we sow into His kingdom, the benefits increase exponentially. We are enriched in everything.

In John 10:10 Jesus says: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.” It is not His abundance that we should seek though. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.”

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.
Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.