As we continue through the book of 2 Corinthians, Paul gives us more principles concerning the grace of giving. He will now deal with some truths that have a greater application than simply your money.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6
Here we have the principle of sowing and reaping. It’s taught a lot in the body of Christ. We mostly hear it before offering time.
In the context of Paul’s letter, he’s definitely applying it to money. But we have to realize that it has a much greater range than that.
I think that one of our problems is that much of our teaching centers around the English reading of this verse. Most of what I’ve heard can be boiled down to “if you plant a lot, you’ll reap a lot.”
However, that’s not what I get when I read it in the original Greek. The word for sparingly means to keep back, avoiding excess. It also means to be cautious and wary.
Contrast that with the word for generously. It means to have a blessing attitude. It implies that you give in such a way that it’s a blessing to the one who receives it.
This verse on sowing and reaping is more about your attitude in giving. It has nothing to do with the amount you give. Jesus brought this truth to light when He saw a widow put a penny into the offering.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:43-44
The word Jesus used for more, means more in amount. Effectively, what the Lord said was that this widow planted more seed then the others who put in more money. It was her attitude that made the difference.
That’s because it’s all about obedience. I never want anybody to give simply because there’s a need. I want you to pray and then give what the Lord prompts you to give.
It’s all about what the Lord wants you to invest in His kingdom. When He urges me to give, how could I ever be cautious about it? Why would I try and hold something back?
I want the blessing of God in my life. I want to see a return on what I invest in God’s work. Granted, it’s not always in the form of money, but it’s always good.
Some might complain about my attitude. They say that I shouldn’t give expecting a blessing in return.
The fact is that I would give in obedience to the Holy Spirit’s leading whether He blessed me or not. But, because the Lord tells us that we’ll reap, I’ll look for His hand at work in my life. Then, when I see the harvest of what I sowed, I’ll give God all the thanks and the praise.
Question: How have you experienced sowing and reaping in your spiritual journey?
© 2020 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 