2Co 9:1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2Co 9:2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

Paul had previously boasted of the Corinthians in their willingness to give and help the believers who were in need. The believers in Jerusalem had needs that the other churches helped to supply. When we hear of a missionary, a poor church or some individual who has a need, we should be willing to help. One person can't always do this and it takes an effort of many. I'm reminded of the many churches who helped the people who suffered from Hurricane Katrina.

2Co 9:3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
2Co 9:4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

He hoped that his boasting was not for nothing and that they were still in the same mind to give and help the needy.

2Co 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

They took collections because of the great need for the poor believers and not because they were covetous and wanted it for themselves.

2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

As to giving. He that gives little will receive little. He that gives much will receive the same. This is not an encouragement to give for the purpose of hoping for something in return. It is just a natural law of reaping and sowing that even happens in the secular world. A giver usually gets back what he gives whether or not he is even saved. Giving does not save someone from sin. To turn this statement around and teach that we should give to those that have the most because that is the ones God is blessing is a false teaching. If that was the case God would be blessing Bill Gates and other rich people who may or may not even be followers of God. Such teaching is nonsense. Give to those who have a need, not to those who have much already. Do not hope for anything in return.

2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

This is the way we should give. Not by being pressured, threatened with financial ruin or loss of one's soul. Giving is a joy but only if it is given for the right reasons.

2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
2Co 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forever.

Usually those that give to the poor already have a type of spirit that is right because they could not hope for anything in return from the poor person. The giving is usually one of compassion. We are to give to the poor. That is taught in the Old and the New Testament.

2Co 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
2Co 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

We are to give of ourselves also and give what God gives us and that is the word of God, the service of helping one another and the spreading of the gospel. There are many other ways to give rather than giving money. Some do not have money.

2Co 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
2Co 9:13 While by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
2Co 9:14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
2Co 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

While there are other passages given about supporting those that bring the gospel, we do see that most New Testament giving is not tithing or even supporting the church but giving to the poor. That doesn't mean that we don't give to the church. In order to have a church building, one has to pay the bills and help care for the pastor and his family. But we have emphasized that type of giving so much that we have forgotten to give to the poor. Some have given to the poor but some have not. Some have started missions to help the poor but have gotten away from the main message the poor needs far greater than anything and that is the gospel. It is a waste of time to give to the poor and neglect to give them the gospel to save their souls.  We tend to move from one extreme to the other.  That is another good reason God saw fit to give us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.  I believe He will guide us in our giving also.

11 Corinthians 10