Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. – 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. – 2 Corinthians 9:6 (KJV)

Theme:  Living According to God’s Word

“You reap what you sow.”

How many times have you heard someone say that? I usually hear it said a negative way, either as a warning — “he better be careful…you reap what you sow” — or as an explanation for why something bad happened to someone — “we knew that would backfire on her…you reap what you sow.” But here in 2 Corinthians Paul reminds us that reaping what we sow also has a positive side.

For context, Paul was praising the church for giving generously to support God’s people and he was encouraging them to continue to give. As part of this encouragement, he used the example of planting crops as a metaphor for giving. Those who plant only a few seeds (i.e., those who sow sparingly) should expect only a small crop to be produced. However, those who plant many seeds (i.e., sow generously) can expect abundant crops when it’s time to harvest. Here’s the whole passage:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

There’s no doubt that God expects us to share our blessings — to help those who are truly in need and support His causes. It brings Him joy when we share generously and with a happy heart (i.e., when we’re cheerful givers). As we mentioned last week, every blessing we have — our health, talents, family, friends, money, material things, time, wisdom — was provided by our God, so we’re really just being good stewards of the resources He’s provided. One of our previous pastors used to sum it up this way:  “We shovel it out. God shovels it in. But God has a bigger shovel.”

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