2 Corinthians, Chapter 9
© Copyright 2003 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved

2 Corinthians 9:1-2 
1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

"Superfluous" (Gr. permisson-permisson) speaks of "over-kill." Paul was saying that it sounds as if he is completely occupied with "ministering to the saints," and he was!

There are two reasons why he was. First, it was his job. Second, he had boasted about their Corinthian generosity. Paul did not others to think that his confidence was misplaced.

We would do well to look at a map of the various areas in that time. What we know as northern Greece was, in that day, called Macedonia. Achaia was in southern Greece. In Paul’s day, competition was alive and well. 

2 Corinthians 9:3-4
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

How many Church plans have gone down the tubes? Far too many!

Paul sent others ahead to make sure things were going as planned. What if the Macedonians came with him and found nothing had been accomplished.

We think that because something worked in one town at one Church, it will work in all towns at all churches. It may not.

All Churches should pray and get their own programs and goals. Many think that God only speaks to others. He is speaking, but we are not listening.

2 Corinthians 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

Paul thought it necessary to "exhort the brethren" to make sure that all had been done. This comes under "the laid plans of mice and men" listing or as an addendum to Murphy’s law (if anything can go wrong, it will).

Paul was not suffering from a lack. He was checking to see that the plans were going---as planned. That is wisdom.  

2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

For decades, this verse has been used to beat Christians about the face and body. Paul was not referring to a tithe in the letter. He was referring to an offering.

Yet many unlearned and greedy preachers use this verse to drain all they can out of any congregation.  That is abuse.

When a preacher devotes half an hour to the offering something is wrong with his/her ministry. I have been in several meetings in which the evangelist spent more time taking the offering than actually preaching the good news of Christ. 

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

The basis for offering is given here, "according as he purposeth in his heart." God loves a "cheerful giver."

Giving may at times be a financial burden. It should never be a psychological burden. Giving is actually an opportunity.

2 Corinthians 9:8-9
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

In you obedience, God is able to make all grace abound to you. He does it so that that having "all sufficiency," you may live in abundance.

Abundance is not having a trillion dollars in the bank or perfect health. It is living in a peaceful manner with what has been provided.

Paul then quotes the Old Testament. Psalm 112:9---"Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten" (NLT)


Do you live in abundance and peace? Or, do you live in turmoil and lack?  

2 Corinthians 9:10-11
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Here is something you must understand. The seed principle touted by so many is a true principle. However, many have abused it for personal gain.  

Again, if a Church or ministry will not make available to you a certified record of total income and total disbursements, stop supporting it. It may be a fraud-based effort. Honest ministries do not fear the light.

In case you are wondering, Bible Study Net does not accept donations.

2 Corinthians 9:12-14
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

There is a theology devoted to a wealth mentality. It is an interesting concept that borders on old fashioned gnosticism.

The teaching is this: if you have enough faith or the right attitude, you can get be a "multi-billionaire."

Let me ask you a bible trivia question---Which of the Apostles were extremely wealthy?

Answer---none!

If the Bible is only meant to expand our bank accounts, why didn’t it work when the Apostles were alive?

Was Paul lacking in faith?

Is that why he was sometimes ill?

If God cannot use a less that perfect body, how did a one-eyed preacher the Charismatic movement?  

Something is terribly wrong with the name-it-and-claim-it, blab-it-and grab- it, my faith is greater than your faith theology, and yet it is alive and well.

Grace does not stop to ask your bank balance or the results of you medical check up before being activated.  

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Thanking God for His loving kindness and His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is the duty of every Christian.

Chapter 10
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