This verse encourages us to trust in God for our provision and be generous with our resources giving to others, particularly to the poor – defined as those in material need. Paul points to the example provided by the Macedonian churches. The churches in the region of Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea had been the first to respond to Paul’s financial needs (see for example Phil 4:15-16), despite themselves experiencing ‘extreme poverty’ (8:14).

It appears that the comparatively rich Christians living in Corinth had pledged to give generously but thus far had failed to turn their promise into action (2 Cor 9:3). The purpose of being a people under God’s blessing, says Paul, is not so that we may become rich but, confident of our needs being met, we may be both generous in our outlook and generous with our resources in meeting the needs of others. Essentially those who were in poverty gave richly but those who were rich gave out of a poverty mindset.

This verse is set in one of the great passages on giving which occupies the whole of Chapters 8 and 9. Paul has already argued that our giving should be proportionate to our ‘means’. The principle of tithing is rooted in this idea. The tithe is not intended to be restrictive or binding, it is indicative and points us towards the principle that it’s the proportion rather than amount that matters. The NT speaks more about the principle of generosity (we might think of Zaccheus (Luke 19:8) or the call of Jesus upon the rich young man (Luke 18:22)).

Paul’s main point in this verse though is that generosity flows from a life lived genuinely trusting God to meet all our needs. We can then plan, prioritise and pledge our giving in line with what we have (2 Cor 8:11-12; 9:7) - generously. Generosity flows from a heart full of passion for God and his Kingdom and heart full of compassion for those who have not.

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Application:

Today, we live in a time of financial insecurity: benefits system overhaul, economic pressures threatening the viability of employers to provide jobs, turmoil and uncertainty in the financial markets affecting pensions and investments. How is your heart doing? It is so easy for us to become fear-driven, inward-looking and self-protective – to batten down the hatches and hold onto what we’ve got! Instead, we are called to give cheerfully according to what we have been given as the Spirit leads.

Prayer:

Pray for the Lord to give you peace and contentment about your financial situation and ask Him to give you a generous heart and spirit.