Paul continues to encourage the Corinthian believers in their generosity to the believers around Jerusalem who were in need. When believers come to collect their gift, Paul wants them to be ready and not embarrassed by their lack of generosity and readiness in this matter (v3-5).

Paul speaks of how generosity brings great blessing from the Lord (v6-8). Those who sow sparingly reap sparingly and those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully. This is a wonderful illustration and we can see how this applies for a farmer sowing a field. He can’t expect a great harvest if he is timid in how much seed he sows.

We must not be timid with our giving to the Lord’s work in regards not just our money, but our effort and time as well. Let’s not do the Lord’s work but in regards our money, time and effort, let’s be cheerful givers and thereby know God’s blessing (v9-15).

We though need to be watchful for the ‘health and wealth’ interpretation which wrongly teaches that our giving automatically brings material wealth.