Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 

Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

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.

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.

The Jerusalem church seems to have been in financial trouble almost from the start, probably because the break with Judaism cut converts off from their families and often cost them their jobs. Paul was quick to encourage the Gentile churches in Galatia, Macedonia, and Corinth to help their Jewish fellow Christians. By doing so they would learn the duty and blessing of systematic Christian giving, and at the same time show their appreciation of what they owed the Jewish parent-church.

Practical instructions rub shoulders with spiritual principles in these chapters Christain giving is a loving response to the self-given of the Lord Jesus. Christians should need no urging to give cheerfully and generously. Those with more than they need will make up the incomes of those with too little so that all have enough.

Why?

Paul teaches us how to do on the generosity given.

For the Lord has given me so much grace, so I should generously give either.

Given is like devoting to the Lord, the Lord will remember and give us the feedback more.

Actually, it is not based on earning but on the Love to help others. Jesus is love so we should love each other.

--------

肯定他們很樂意奉獻方式來鼓勵哥林多教會，誇哥林多教會一年前就開始奉獻，其他教會也跟著你們奉獻，哥林多教會顯然很看重面子！

教導奉獻是幫助更多人，顯明主的榮耀……

奉獻的原則與意義：1)甘心樂意:神會賞賜更多 卻不是為了更多的想法，奉獻後不會不夠 

2)透過這些短暫的錢財成為不朽壞的仁義價值

3)叫神的名得榮耀

4)更多人因為此感恩，收到的人，奉獻的人都把榮耀歸給神

5)收到的人也更與教會的人與主連結

奉獻的價值產生數倍的價值。

---------

How?

They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.