2 Corinthians 8-9

What’s Happening?

The apostle Paul has been preparing the Corinthians for his next visit. He reminds them of a promise they made to give financial support to some persecuted churches in Judea who would greatly benefit from the wealthy Corinthians’ generosity (2 Corinthians 8:10-11; 9:1-5). This support, however, wasn’t given. In an effort to revive the Corinthians’ initial enthusiasm to give and to ensure that they have a gift ready when he arrives, Paul not only reminds them of their promise but also explains how generosity ultimately benefits them. 

Paul starts by highlighting the generosity of the churches in Macedonia (2 Corinthians 8:1). Even though they were poor and severely persecuted, they gave joyfully and abundantly (2 Corinthians 8:2-3). Despite their own poverty, these beggars begged for the chance to contribute to the relief fund (2 Corinthians 8:4). Paul notes that they first gave themselves fully to God. That willingness turned one of the poorest communities into the most generous givers (2 Corinthians 8:5). Paul calls the rich Corinthians to imitate the poor Macedonians by showing their commitment to God through a similar willingness to be generous (2 Corinthians 8:6-8). More importantly, they should imitate Jesus, who gave up the riches of heaven and became poor so that he might generously give himself to the Corinthians, making them rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). Since they are the recipients of God’s generosity, they now have the opportunity to be conduits of his generosity too.

Paul continues to explain that the goal of generosity is to ensure everyone has enough (2 Corinthians 8:13-14). He warns them against greed by reminding them how God miraculously provided manna for Israel in the wilderness (2 Corinthians 8:15). Some people greedily hoarded manna, while others did not gather enough. Yet, mysteriously, God ensured that everyone had the same amount (Exodus 16:18). Similarly, God can use the Corinthians’ generosity to recreate this miracle, ensuring everyone has enough.

Paul then applies some social pressure. He tells them that Titus and other respected church leaders have heard of the Corinthians’ pledge to give, and are coming soon to collect their gift (2 Corinthians 8:16-24; 9:3). If the Corinthian Christians fail to make good on their promise when Titus and the others arrive, they will publicly embarrass themselves—especially after Macedonia gave so generously (2 Corinthians 9:1-2, 4-5).

To further encourage generosity, Paul compares giving to a farmer planting seed. Farmers eagerly empty their pockets and scatter seed across the field, knowing that more seeds “lost” mean more crops gained (2 Corinthians 9:6). Following this pattern, the Corinthians too should generously give of what they have trusting that God will provide them what they need as they scatter their gifts to others (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). Paul quotes Psalm 112 to remind them that God, in all his wealth, generously gives to the poor of the world. Those who join God in providing for the needy share in his joy of reaping a harvest of thanksgiving and praise (2 Corinthians 9:9-10, Psalm 112:5-9). And just as farmers “lose” seed to gain bread, if the Corinthians join in God’s work, their giving will not only fill the stomachs of hungry brothers and sisters but will also fill their mouths with thanks to God and the heavens with prayers for the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 9:11-15). Just as a farmer suffers no loss from being generous with seeds, the Corinthians have everything to gain from participating in God’s gift of generosity.

Where is the Gospel?

Paul wants the Corinthians to see and follow the examples of generosity around them. He mentions the eager generosity of their Macedonian brothers and sisters. They exceeded all expectations in giving themselves fully to God and then abundantly to the churches in need (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). The reason they could do this was because they had experienced the boundless generosity of God in Jesus.

Jesus is the rich, generous God who made the universe. Every jewel in every crown, every street in every town, every man, every land, every coast, cathedral, and galaxy were made by him and for him (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17). And he not only created all things, he lovingly sustains them. He generously gives his creatures what they need for life; whether that’s seed for farmers or manna in the wilderness for his people. And more mysterious than any other gift is that Jesus, the rich God of the universe, gives poor people himself. 

In boundless generosity, Jesus became poor to make many rich in him. Born into poverty, Jesus sowed generously into the poor and needy. He gave food to the hungry, friendship to the outcast, healing to the sick, forgiveness to the sinner, and even life to the dead. And in the greatest act of generosity, Jesus gave himself. He sowed his life into the ground, dying to join humanity in the poverty of the grave. But in losing his life, Jesus gained a harvest of resurrection for all. Now, the resurrected Jesus comes to poor beggars like us to make us co-heirs with him in eternal life.

This is the generosity that captured the hearts of the poor Macedonians so much so, that they would give everything to be a part of it. Paul extends the invitation to the Corinthians and to us – to join Jesus’ boundless generosity. We can give ourselves fully to Jesus, knowing that in having him we gain everything. Jesus invites us into the same work of sowing generously to the poor and needy around us, so that we can reap a harvest of praise and thanksgiving in heaven. We can gladly spend ourselves and our possessions knowing that we are investing in more and more people experiencing the generosity and life of Jesus.

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who is generous with his wealth. And may you see Jesus as the one who gave his own life for us so that we could share in his riches.