You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11
“For Thomas, it is certain that God multiplies alms given by believers. He bases his affirmation on Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 9:8 that “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance.” He indicates that, in other words, the apostle tells the Corinthians that they do not have to fear to give because they are afraid to find themselves in indigence and regret their good deed. He remarks that “every blessing” which God will supply to the Corinthians consistes of spiritual and material riches since Paul states that they will be enriched in all things (2 Corinthians 9:11).”
Viateur Habarurema and Thomas Aquinas in Christian Generosity according to 2 Corinthians 8-9: It’s Exegesis, Reception, and Interpretation Today in Dialogue with the Prosperity Gospel in Sub-Saharan Africa (Carlisle, UK: Langham Monographs, 2017) 198-199.
Habarurema lectures full-time at Protestant University of Rwanda and pastors part-time. In this work, he explores 2 Corinthians 8-9 through church history. Today recounts his findings from the writings of Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) on this biblical text.
Fear may be the single most limiting factor to generosity among all people. Simply put, people are afraid to let go of financial resources despite the promise that God will enrich us in every way if we share generously.
Think about how absurd this is. We live as though the God of the universe who cares for all of creation and promises to care for us cannot be trusted. I am confident that indigence and regret awaits those who don’t share.
Proverbs 11:24-25 affirms this. One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
The best way to pave a path toward indigence and regret is to let fear grip you and withhold your generosity. It’s no wonder Jesus labels the person a fool who holds on to riches rather than distribute them. God help us all.