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)
Click here for printable verse cards: week-43-printable-cards
Theme: Giving and Stewardship
How many times have we heard someone say “you reap what you sow” over the years? I usually hear it said in a negative way–as a warning against an action (“he better be careful…you reap what you sow”) or as an explanation for why something bad happened to someone else (“we knew that would backfire on him…you reap what you sow”).
Well, here in 2 Corinthians Paul reminds us that reaping what we sow also has a positive side. Paul had been praising the churches for giving generously to support God’s people and he was encouraging them to continue to give abundantly. As part of this encouragement Paul reminds the church that those who give generously can expect to receive generously and those who give sparingly should expect to receive sparingly. In other words, we reap what we sow when it comes to giving. Or, as our previous pastor put it, “We shovel it out. God shovels it in. But God has a bigger shovel.”
Again (as we discussed in Week 41), there’s no doubt that God expects us to share our blessings, to help those who are truly in need and to give generously to His causes. Let’s close with the two verses that follow this week’s verse:
“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.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
