What does your giving actually do?
This has been adapted from a sermon on 2 Corinthians 9:12-15
We’ve all had moments where we start something with good intentions—like buying a gym membership—only to find that spending the money doesn’t produce results unless we actually use it. The same can be true with our giving. You can give money to a church or ministry and never stop to consider what that generosity is doing—or not doing—in your heart, or in the lives of others.
But when giving is fuelled by grace, it produces real, tangible results. In 2 Corinthians 9:6–15, Paul shows us exactly what grace-fuelled generosity accomplishes.
1. It Grows Gospel-Work and Thanksgiving (vv. 11–12)
Paul tells the Corinthians that their giving will “supply the needs of the saints” and “overflow in many thanksgivings to God.” That’s a twofold result:
• Practical needs are met — this is the visible fruit of generosity.
• God is praised — not just by the giver, but by those who receive.
This is why generosity isn’t just a financial transaction; it’s an act of gospel partnership. It supports the proclamation of the gospel, the discipleship of believers, and the strengthening of the church.
As we’ve seen in our own church family—whether at our Good Friday service with six churches praising God together or through support from sister churches—grace-fuelled generosity creates gospel unity and mutual encouragement.
2. It Shows Gospel Transformation (vv. 13–14)
In verse 13, Paul says that those who receive help “will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ.”
Here’s the point: Generosity isn’t what makes you a Christian—but it is proof that you are one. A heart changed by grace overflows in joyful, willing sacrifice.
Real faith doesn’t hide. It acts. It loves. It gives. James puts it bluntly: “I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). And Paul says that the Corinthians’ generosity is the result of their confession of the gospel—not guilt, not pressure, not performance, but transformation.
3. It Increases Praise to Christ (v. 15)
Paul ends this entire section with a spontaneous outburst: “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
What is that gift? It’s Jesus.
Grace-fuelled generosity always points beyond itself. It brings the focus to Christ. It stirs worship. Why? Because when we realize that Christ became poor so we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9), the only response is praise. Not cold obligation. Not comparison or pride. But joyful, grateful worship.
The word “thanks” (charis in Greek) shows up 18 times in this letter—and 10 of those are in chapters 8 and 9. That’s no accident. Where grace flows, gratitude follows.
So What?
I bought a gym membership once and wondered why I wasn’t seeing results—until I realized I wasn’t actually going. Just having access to something powerful doesn’t mean it’s shaping you.
The same is true with giving. You can give without grace—and it’ll feel dry, pressured, even prideful.
But when generosity is fuelled by grace, it’s joyful. It’s sacrificial. And it gets results—not just in your heart, but in the lives of others, and in the glory that rises to Christ.
Final Reflection:
• Is your giving a joyful response to the grace you’ve received?
• What story does your generosity tell about your faith?
• Are you asking the Lord to use your resources to build His Kingdom?
May we give, not to prove ourselves, but because we’ve been transformed by the inexpressible gift of Christ. And may our generosity overflow in gospel-work, thanksgiving, and worship.
“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift.” – 2 Corinthians 9:15
This blog post was adapted from a sermon using AI assistance