2 Corinthians 9:10 (NIV), “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”
First consider the context found in chapters 8 and 9. Apostle Paul was writing about a collection for their poor brethren in Jerusalem. He encouraged the brethren to give generously, and he praised cheerful givers. Paul further explained that their liberality, in proportion to their ability, would be an index of their love for the Lord and for the Gospel.
Verse 10 in chapter nine is like a little parable. He who supplies seed to the sower is God. The Lord gives the seed, and it is planted in the earth. The seed brings forth such an increase that there is a sufficiency of bread for food now and for future storage.
The Apostle Paul uses the picture of sowing and reaping to strengthen our faith in God’s providential care. God will supply for our natural and our spiritual needs, but He also expects us to work with Him. We need to use the given seed. As a result, we may then expect a good harvest and the fruits of righteousness.
The seed is what God puts in our hands, which enables us to serve. We learn in verse 11 that we will be enriched in every way when we are generous in every way. This does not necessarily mean financial prosperity, but the richness is in Christ. We will certainly be able to help/serve others. So whoever gives time, talent, strength or money with the right heart-attitude, will find himself proportionally growing in the different graces and developing more fruits.
Please note: the cheerful giver is the most pleasing to God. When we give from the heart with love, gratitude, and obedience, then we will delight in the service. It will grow more spiritual fruit!
