This is Hard to Misunderstand
2 Corinthians 9:5-8 NKJV
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
Paul is writing to the church in order to have them prepare the generous gift they promised to give. He sent some people ahead of time so they would not be embarrassed when the guests from Macedonia arrived. Paul said he wanted the gift from the church to be a function of generosity and not a grudging obligation. Paul was big in the heart behind the giving.
Paul then states a spiritual principle that is hard to ignore or misunderstand. Sow, or give a little, and reap a little. Sow bountifully with generosity and the reaping would be in the same measure. Sowing and reaping work in the physical realm and also work in the spiritual realm.
But it's not just the amount, it's the heart behind the giving that God sees. Giving should be out of a heart to bless not because of being compelled to give. Or giving grudgingly out of a sense of obligation. The heart behind giving that God is pleased with is the heart to give cheerfully.
The reasons for giving cheerfully are twofold. The first is because others are being blessed and that causes thanksgivings to God. The second reason Paul spells out succinctly. "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." Notice the abundance is for every good work. Taking care of a family is a good work. Being a blessing to the local church is a good work. Having an abundance to help people in need is good work. And having some financial margin so that life is not teetering on the edge is a good work.
This passage is hard to misunderstand. Giving abundantly is a good thing, and reaping abundantly because of God's grace is a good thing.
Application
I recognize that when it comes to sowing, reaping, and abundance, there are all kinds of excess on both sides. Some believe abundance is wrong, just wrong. While others act as if reaping abundantly is the most important gospel principle above all others. God is the One who established the law of sowing and reaping. Having an abundance for every good work is necessary if we are going to reach our world with the gospel. We need to be able to take care of our families and have the freedom to give. But material things cannot supersede the importance of the peace, joy and eternal hope that is in Christ and cannot be purchased. The spiritual life we have in Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit are more valuable than any material possession or condition.
Sow bountifully with a cheerful heart. Reap bountifully and give God the glory for the grace that He sends your way and that gives you sufficiency in all things.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, that as I sow bountifully with a cheerful heart, You are causing grace to come my way so that I have an abundance for every good work.