“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed as it is written, “HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER” (2 Corinthians 9:8,9).
10 “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for [your] obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:10-15).
Note that I have created an arbitrary new paragraph at v.10.
Verses 8 and 9 are often used as further substantiation that compliance to “every good deed” should then further the message that the realization of one’s financial dreams and aspirations are a simple matter of you “investing in God” by faith.
This has been used as the justification for the dangerous, heretical doctrine of the “prosperity gospel”. This is the concept that God’s purpose for us is to temporally prosper us. As is often the case, scriptures are taken from, or embellished in, their context to promote this treacherous teaching.
However, in further observing of the subsequent verses, notice the remainder of the chapter and its clarification.
Verse 10 was one of those “aha” moments when it came to my attention what was noted in the second half of the verse – “will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness”.
It had a different outcome intended, which was to “increase the harvest of your righteousness”.
One of the many unfathomable transactions from Christ’s finished work on the cross, is that He exchanges the taking on all of our sin, for His imputed righteousness to us.
If you haven’t done so lately, just let that sink in for a while, and then we can ask ourselves about how we’re doing in gratitude. See verses 11 and 12.
It seems we have support for the idea of increasing the harvest of our righteousness. Sounds like the privilege of ministry to me!
In 1 Timothy 6:11 and 2 Timothy 2:22, the apostle Paul admonishes that we “pursue righteousness”.
How many of us start our day with a priority on increasing the harvest of our righteousness”?
With that intent in view, I would suggest v.11-15 may come to us in a new light. It is what I would label, “The Posterity Gospel”.
Posterity meaning future generations. We invest the righteousness given to us to others now for the reaping of the harvest of righteousness later.
I think those verses would be a serious study worthy of your time if you haven’t already done so. Invest the Word in others.
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