Generosity and the Harvest (2 Corinthians 9)

Paul then addressed generosity again, this time using an entirely different word:

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV)

The term ἁπλότης —translated here as generosity—denotes “simplicity, sincerity and purity of mind; liberality, as arising from simplicity and frankness of character.”  

Here in verse 10 as well as in verse 13, the word ἁπλότης means openheartedness and open-handedness with one's possessions. In a word, generosity.

Often that word generosity reminds me of a time I preached at my sister’s Baptist church in Gulfport, Mississippi. Whenever I was invited, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The congregation was always receptive and seemed to have such a tender heart toward the Lord.

On one occasion as I preached, I shared an illustration about the difficulties Christian children face in the Middle East. It was a pretty emotionally charged example, and I noticed one brother near the front obviously moved to tears by the work of God in a young Egyptian girl’s life.

At the end of the service, when I was speaking to several people, I saw him waiting to talk to me. When the little crowd dispersed, he stepped up to me and took out his wallet. He gave me everything in it. He then reached into his pocket, pulled out all the coins he had, and handed those to me. He could barely speak through the tears: “I wish I had more on me to give.”

I prayed for him, for the girl in Egypt, and for the church where she worshipped as he cried. Despite—or maybe because of—the tears, he exemplified the cheerful, generous, openhearted, gracious giving that Paul encouraged.

Imagine what would happen today if the concepts of sowing, reaping, generosity, and the harvest were taught from the pulpit!

What Happened to This Teaching?

Sowing generously and reaping generously is a wonderful kingdom principle… that prosperity preachers have hijacked!

According to them, this passage teaches that generous giving—usually to their ministry!—leads to material wealth for the giver. You don’t need me to tell you that Paul would strongly disagree!

Instead, Paul taught that generous giving helps the recipients and prompts thanksgiving to God. In this particular instance, the Corinthians’ giving was also an example of obedience:

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:12-15 NIV)

In short, generous and cheerful giving leads to a great spiritual harvest. When the harvest is also material, that blessing can lead to further generous and cheerful giving as well as to significant spiritual growth.

In fact, generous and cheerful giving is directly related to our spiritual vitality and growth. Our heartfelt giving is an act of worship. Our generous giving is one way we express our love for God.

No wonder, then, that generous and cheerful giving contributes to spiritual revival and renewal even as it gives glory to God. And this kind of climate can be created today on the less-traveled road.

That said, we do acknowledge the genuine concerns about raising funds, securing income, and making budget. Certainly, Paul was concerned about funds for the church in Jerusalem.

However, we can join him in being more concerned about:

• Helping Christ-followers live with integrity and follow through on any commitment they made to God
• Responding to the cross of Christ with heartfelt gratitude
• Cultivating a climate of generosity toward God that leads to spiritual growth in our own lives and growth in God’s kingdom
• Giving generously and cheerfully to God as an act of worship