“A SUBSTANTIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT”

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

2 Corinthians 9:6

Jesus is the greatest Gift God offers to humanity. He is the ultimate demonstration of God’s generosity. He became poor that we might get rich. He expects us, whom He now considers His children, to be generous in giving. That’s the main point of 2 Corinthians 9.

Paul reminds the Corinthians of their previous commitment to give a generous gift to the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. It appears that a long time has elapsed, but they still haven’t honored their word and withheld their monetary pledge.

Paul talks about why it is important to give generously and presents three reasons:

• generous giving enriches the giver (verses 6-10)
• generous givers meet the needs of the receivers (verses 11-12)
• generous givers cause others to praise God (verses 13-15).

To illustrate his teaching, Paul uses a general principle found in Proverbs 11:24-26. The amount of the seed planted is directly proportionate to the number of crops harvested. This system is a fundamental reality not only in farming but also in life. An investor who invests a large sum of money gets a considerable amount as the business flourishes compared to an investor who places a minimal stake.

But does it mean that God’s pleasure depends on the size of our offering? No. Instead, God is pleased when a giver gives sincerely and instinctively. The woman who offered her last two coins at the Temple is a good example.

Does generous giving always yield a significant monetary return? Not always. This belief is where some get this verse wrong. God isn’t really after the amount we give but our motive in giving. If we are offering to earn, it indicates that our heart is not in the right place. Giving should be a response to God’s generous gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, not a means of increasing one’s net worth.

However, God, in His sovereign will, can cause us to be financially blessed so we can meet the needs of more people and bring greater glory to Him. Nevertheless, whether we receive a significant return or not, we are to consider that the act of giving in itself is already an extraordinary return.

In conclusion, giving is not something we do; it is who we are (Wiersbe). Our God is the Giver of life, who generously provides everything we need. Being His spiritual children, we are to reflect the same attitude in giving. When we figure this out, giving will be a source of joy and never a burden.

Giving yields blessings that far outweigh our monetary gift to God. It is a great way to lay up treasures in heaven, a place where the world’s money has no value. Since generous giving pleases the Lord, I think it is wise to exercise generosity. Not only does it show our blessedness, but it also helps others, and gives glory to our God. That, for me, is a substantial return on investment.

Pursue the Savior today!