46 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you (2 Corinthians 9:1)

Ministering to the Lord
ministering to the saints (God’s people) (2 Corinthians 9:1)

Ministering to the Lord

But Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod. (1 Samuel 2:18)

While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2)

any ministry that is directed towards others without first being directed towards God is idolatry.

Ministering to the saints

Ministry to the saints cannot be accomplished without ministry to the LORD

In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. (2 Corinthians 9:2 NLT)

Your enthusiasm can stir someone else to serve the Lord. Your life can stir someone else to live for the Lord. Enthusiasm is contagious.

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Generally, there is fear that we are losing when we give. However, just as a farmer gives seed in anticipation of a future harvest, we too should give with the same heart and expectation. Your harvest is dependant on your sowing.

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

How to give

1.As you have purposed in your heart

2.Cheerfully

How not to give

1.not reluctantly

2.Sorrowfully

3.Under compulsion

4.From a sense of religious duty (TPT)

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

It's like a perpetual cycle of blessing

a.God gives us the grace to give

b.Our giving releases (or activates) God’s grace in our lives

c.That grace produces the desire to give more

d.God gives us the grace to give

Notice that the reason God makes grace abound toward you is so you may abound unto every good work. Prosperity is not just for you. It’s so you can be a blessing to others.

His righteousness remains forever: (2 Corinthians 9:9)

In this quote from Psalm 112:9, Apostle Paul is not trying to say that generous giving makes us righteous but gives evidence of a right standing with God.

And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. ( 2 Corinthians 9:10)

The sower is greater than the eater. God provides seed to the sower and bread to the eater.

For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, (Isaiah 55:10)

You might not have that kind of money right now but if you would make a commitment to become sowers, God would give you the finances to sow. God always provides seed to the sower

These terms are being used metaphorically to talk about how God always gives extra to people who are givers and supplies the basic needs of eaters.

Eaters are those who are using their finances primarily for their needs. Sowers are those who use their finances primarily to give to others. This is about the attitude of the heart toward giving. Those who desire more money so they can get more “stuff” are eaters. Those who desire more money so they can give more are sowers.

Ephesians 4:28 says,

Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

This verse says that the reason we should work is so that we can give to those that have need. That’s amazing! Most people would say the reason we should work is so that we can pay our bills and provide for our needs. But that’s not what this scripture says. The purpose of us working is so that we can bless others.

When we put sowing ahead of eating, God gets involved in our finances and meets our every need. In fact, God will take better care of you than you would take of yourself.

Four Benefits of Giving From the Christians at Corinth (2 Corinthians 9:12-14)

1.Supplies the needs of the saints

2.Many thanksgivings to God

It inspires an outpouring of praises and thanksgiving to God himself

3.The obedience of your confession

Their confession was more than talk. It proved that it was their way of life. Our way of life solidifies our confession.

4.And by their prayer for you

It would prompt the Jerusalem Christians to pray for them

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

God is the greatest giver. He gave a gift which is beyond description:

For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life. (John 3:16 TPT)

Chapter 9