Verse 6
One of the great spiritual principles of life is that God blesses people in proportion to their blessing others (cf. Proverbs 11:24-25; Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 22:8-9; Luke 6:38; Galatians 6:7). Paul reminded his readers of this here by citing the example of the farmer. If he plants little, he harvests little; but if he plants much, he will harvest much. Giving to meet the needs of others is like sowing seed. It will yield fruit of the same kind in time. There will be a profit.
"The important lesson which Paul is urging upon the Corinthians at this point is that to give is to sow. What is given is not lost, but, like the seed sown by the farmer, contrary to all appearances it possesses the potency of life and increase. At the same time it is important to remember that, as the whole context shows, the Apostle is speaking of the quality, not the quantity, of giving." [Note: Hughes, p. 329.]
Is a proper motive for giving to get something in return? Both Jesus and Paul urged us to lay up treasure in heaven, to make investments counting on the fact that they will yield eternal rewards (Luke 12:31-34; Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:18-19; cf. Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 10:42; Luke 6:38). It is perfectly legitimate to remind people of the inevitable consequences of their actions to motivate them to do what is right, as Paul did here.
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