(2Co 9:12) “For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;”  The right result of this action of giving; more importantly of this purpose of ministry – the glorification  through praise to the Lord of glory, salvation, and care.

(2 Cor 9:8) “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you… (11) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.”  Take careful notice of that first phrase in Verse Eleven, “Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness,…” By God’s grace He will bless one in “everything” who takes the step of faith in giving in His Name.

(2Co 9:7) “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,…. (8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you;…. (10)  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)”  As I look back, I must confess that many times I was not wise with my money. But, in one very significant way I was: in faithfully giving both my tithe and then above in the support of missions. The Lord has ever met all my needs and beyond. God’s Word is always, always true.

(2Co 9:8) “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you;… (9)  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.”   The parenthesis statement gives the proof text as to the Lord rewarding the faith of the giver. Notice the reward of faithful giving goes far beyond a material return. He or she is given an eternal blessing!

(2Co 9:8) “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”  You cannot out-give God: “Give in My Name and you will be blessed ‘in all things’.”  Notice that in blessing us, it is not truly a reward, for we owe Him our very lives; but a matter of “grace”: unmerited favor. Praise His Name.

(2Co 9:7) “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”  Our Lord looks upon the heart of t hose who do Him service. And remember, to minister to others in His Name is to do Him service. True service is not because one has to, nor is forced to do it. True service has a joy in itself, the result of a thankful heart.

2Co 9:6  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Here is a principle well worth grabbing hold of by faith: “You cannot out-give God.”  Amazing to me that all we have comes from Him. Yet, He has decreed to reward those who give in His Name, who trust He will meet all their own needs!

(2Co 9:5)  Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.   As in all things that we do, there needs to be the matter of “right thinking”. Two attitudes are given regarding this offering: there is a need (bounty: as in a blessing offered), or there is not (covetousness: fraudulent offering). The Holy Spirit is stressing that this offering is because there was a true need.

(2Co 9:2) “For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.”  To send money to meet the needs of others was at first very much in their hearts. Yet, such a desire has a tendency over time to lose its zeal, just as many lose their fervency towards serving the Lord. The Lord knows this, so He seeks to use others and His Word to spur us towards where we should be spiritually.

(2Co 9:1) “For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:”  “Superfluous”: excessive; thus really not needful.  Paul’s heart towards them in this matter is more along the line of “let each esteem other better than themselves” (Phil 2:3). But remember, the Holy Spirit is urging and directing the penning of these words. He knows our hearts and thus our true need (Rom 8:26-27), so these continued words.