God’s providential care

2 Corinthians 9:10 “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.”

I must admit that I have not really noticed the second half of this verse before; 'enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.' 

It is one of those miracles for creation that from the smallest of seeds, a significant harvest of fruit can be harvested. Two years ago, I bought two small tomato plants for 50p each only to see them grow beyond my wildest expectations to produce over 300 ripe cherry tomatoes. 

In today's verse, Paul is talking of a multiple facetted harvest. 

In other words, God makes the giver capable of giving. Paul adds that God will multiply the seed of those who give in order to increase the harvest of righteousness that comes as a result. It's important to note that the increase is to the benefit of the one who receives—this is not a promise to financially prosper the giver.

Paul insists there is more to giving as a Christlike act of grace than just putting food in hungry bellies. The gift itself is a seed that will produce more and more righteousness. The one who gives shares the privilege of being used by God in this process.

But Paul focuses on the heart and attitude of the giver. It is not good to give merely out of a sense of duty or obligation, what one ought to do. It matters what one wants to do. God is after our hearts; he is out to transform our desires. The seed must be scattered ‘upon blessings’; out of a blessed heart; a cheerful heart, a heart made glad by God’s experienced abundance.

He will not only fully supply but multiply your seed for sowing. Remember, all that you have is a gift supplied to you by God. He who supplied it is able to multiply it, and he is able to increase the harvest of your righteousness. Notice what the harvest consists of; your righteousness. According to Psalm 112, your righteousness consists of fearing the Lord and delighting in his commands, walking in the light, loving justice and showing mercy, giving to those in need.

God is able to cause our righteousness to endure forever. How will we scatter what God has put in our hands? Who will we show mercy to today? How will we cooperate with God as he increases the harvest of our righteousness? Will we act on the new desires he has placed in our hearts?

You are the God who supplies seed to the sower, and gives the harvest of grain for bread, who multiplies my resources and increases the harvest of righteousness for me. How I thank you and praise you for this! In the name of Jesus Christ, the truly generous Savior of mankind, I pray. Amen.