Daily Bible Plan - 2. Corinthians

01 October 2025

Devotion by Elder Eddie FIlippi

Theme: Set Apart – 2 Corinthians 9

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

Introduction

Beloved Fortified City Church family, We stand today in thanksgiving, having completed our seven-day fast. This was not an ordinary week, it was a week of sacrifice, prayer, and setting ourselves apart to seek God. We gave up physical food, but we fed on spiritual bread. We laid aside earthly pleasures so that heavenly treasures might be poured into us. Fasting is more than just abstaining from food. It is sowing into the Spirit (Galatians 6:8).

Every prayer you whispered when your stomach was empty was a seed. Every worship song you sang with a tired body was a seed. Every moment of hunger that drove you to open your Bible instead of the fridge was a seed. And Scripture assures us: 'God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love' (Hebrews 6:10). Now, as we ended the fast, we must ask: what kind of harvest will come from the seeds we’ve sown? The answer is found in today’s study—2 Corinthians 9:1–15—where Paul reminds us of the principle of sowing and reaping and the power of cheerful giving.

Scripture Focus – 2 Corinthians 9:1–15

This passage shows us three things:

1. The attitude of giving (v. 6–7)

2. The God who supplies seed and multiplies it (v. 8–11)

3. The fruit of generosity (v. 12–15)

Paul was preparing the church in Corinth to give to the saints in need at Jerusalem. But he does more than raise an offering—he teaches them a principle that applies to every believer, in every generation: we reap what we sow, and our giving glorifies God.

Why God Loves a Cheerful Giver Paul says:

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

1. Because giving is God’s nature.

John 3:16 reminds us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.” Love always gives. When we give with joy, we reflect God’s very character.

2. Because cheerful giving shows trust.

A reluctant giver fears lack. A cheerful giver trusts that God will provide again. Proverbs 11:24–25 says: “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

3. Because cheerful giving is worship.

When we give joyfully, we’re not just meeting needs—we’re offering thanksgiving to God. It is an act of saying, “Lord, You’ve been good to me, and I gladly return this to You.” That is why Deacon Thomson’s words ring true: “Giving is living.” If our giving is forced, it’s just a transaction. But when our giving is joyful, it becomes an expression of life— true life in Christ.

Why Giving is Important

1. It blesses others (v.12)

Paul says, “This service you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people…” When you give, you may be the very answer to someone’s prayer. Think of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). His giving of time, oil, wine, and coins saved a life. Every act of generosity is ministry. Every act of kindness is evangelism. In FCC, when we give to support missions, to help a struggling family, or to build God’s house, we are meeting needs that go beyond money—we are planting eternal seeds.

2. It glorifies God (v.13)

Paul continues: “…others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.” Our giving is evidence that our faith is real. The world watches how Christians handle resources. When we give generously, it points people to God. The early church in Acts 2:47 “praised God and enjoyed the favor of all the people.” Their generosity made the gospel attractive. When outsiders saw how Christians cared for one another, they were drawn to Christ.

3. It strengthens our faith (v.8–11)

Paul says God is able to make all grace abound so that we have everything we need to keep giving. When you give, you release your grip on what you think sustains you and place your trust in the One who truly sustains you. The widow who gave two mites (Mark 12:41–44) gave all she had. Jesus said she gave more than anyone else. Why? Because she trusted God fully. Giving stretches our faith like nothing else. So giving is not optional—it is essential to the Christian life. Or as Deacon Thomson said, “Giving is living.”

Why the Early Churches Were Blessed

Acts 2:44–47 paints a beautiful picture of the early church: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” They were blessed because they were generous. Their unity was born out of their giving. Their power flowed because of their love. They didn’t ask, “What can I get?” but “What can I give?” Today, too many believers live as consumers—attending church for blessings, breakthroughs, and personal needs—without asking, “What can I contribute to the Kingdom?” But if we want the blessing of the early church, we must return to the lifestyle of the early church—generosity, sacrifice, unity, and cheerful giving.

The Principle of Sowing and Reaping

Paul makes it plain: “Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously.”

• Sowing requires sacrifice. A farmer gives up seed that he could eat today. Likewise, giving feels costly. But seed in the ground has a destiny: it multiplies.

• You cannot reap what you haven’t sown. A field where nothing is planted will produce nothing but weeds. Many people pray for harvests in areas where they’ve never planted—asking for financial blessing without sowing financially, asking for love without showing love, asking for revival without sowing in prayer. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

• God multiplies what you sow. Verse 10 says He supplies the seed and enlarges the harvest of your righteousness. Think of the boy with five loaves and two fish (John 6:9–13). He sowed his lunch, and Jesus multiplied it to feed thousands.

Personal Reflection for FCC

Beloved, our seven-day fast was a corporate sowing. Some sowed prayers for healing, others for financial breakthrough, others for family salvation. Some sowed worship in the midnight hour, others sowed tears of intercession. It may feel hidden now, but in due season, the harvest will be revealed.

But sowing doesn’t stop here. If we want to see an abundance of love, unity, testimonies, and resources in FCC, we must be a sowing church.

• If we want to reap unity, we must sow love and forgiveness.

• If we want to reap financial provision, we must sow tithes, offerings, and generosity.

• If we want to reap a harvest of souls, we must sow prayer, evangelism, and compassion. We cannot expect a harvest in fields where we have planted no seed.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, We thank You for sustaining us through our seven-day fast. Thank You for teaching us that every act of sowing brings a harvest. Lord, make us cheerful givers in all things— our time, our resources, our love, and our service. May giving not be an event in FCC, but a lifestyle. Let our generosity supply needs, glorify You, and strengthen our faith. Make us like the early church—united, generous, and powerful. In Jesus’ name, Amen