Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 9:11

"ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God." — 2 Corinthians 9:11 (ASV)

Being enriched in every thing, etc. In all respects, your riches are conferred on you for this purpose. The apostle's design is to state to them the true reason why wealth was bestowed. It was not for the purposes of luxury and self-gratification, not to be spent in sensual enjoyment, nor for parade and display; it was so that it might be distributed to others in such a way as to cause thanksgiving to God.

At the same time, this implies the expression of an earnest wish on Paul's part. He did not desire that they should be rich for their own gratification or pleasure; he desired it only as the means for them to do good to others. A right disposition will desire property only as the means of promoting happiness and producing thanksgiving to God.

Those who truly love their children and friends will wish them to be successful in acquiring wealth only so that they may have the means and the disposition to alleviate misery and promote the happiness of all around them. No one who has true benevolence will desire that anyone for whom he cares should be enriched for the purpose of living in luxury and surrounding himself with the indulgences that wealth can provide. If a man does not have a disposition to do good with money, it is not true benevolence to desire that he may possess it.

To all bountifulness. Margin: Simplicity, or liberality. The word (aplothta) properly means sincerity, candor, integrity; then also simplicity, frankness, fidelity, and especially as manifesting itself in liberality. (2 Corinthians 8:2). Here it evidently means liberality, and the idea is that property is given for this purpose, so that liberality may be shown in doing good to others.

Which causeth through us, etc. That is, we will distribute your alms in such a way as to cause thanksgiving to God. The result will be that, through our instrumentality, thanks will be given to the great Source and Giver of all wealth. Property should always be used in such a way as to produce thanksgiving. If it contributes to our own support and the support of our families, it should lead to thanksgiving. If it is given to others, it should be given, if possible, so that the recipient is more grateful to God than to us, and feels that although we may be the honored instrument in distributing it, the true benefactor is God.