DAY 12: God loves a cheerful giver
Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 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.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Sowing seed in the allotment can be very interesting. Sometimes counting out seeds one at a time means that the harvest is very poor.
On other occasions sowing more than we need results in an abundance
of plants growing so there are plenty to give away. Paul reminds us
that if we are mean in our sowing then the harvest will be poor.
It is God’s grace that produces in us a generosity of spirit. God’s
generosity is without measure and we who have received it respond
without measure or calculating the cost.
But it is important to recognise that whatever we give to God is not a
result of compulsion. It is the freewill offering of a generous spirit. As
we give, so God blesses. We don’t give to gain the blessing of God,
that is the by product of living in the Spirit. Indeed it will not be just
financial giving, it will affect every dimension of life for we will want to
be generous and open handed in how we give.
For Further Reading: Acts 10:1-6 - Cornelius's generosity results in an angelic visitor.
To Ponder: To what extent have you caught the generosity of spirit? Today look for a generous action from another and thank God for it. Make one new generous act of your own today.
To Pray: Lord Jesus, may your generosity of spirit so inhabit my mind and actions that it is second nature today and all the days of my life. Amen.
‘Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows
generously will also reap generously.’ v6
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 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.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Sowing seed in the allotment can be very interesting. Sometimes counting out seeds one at a time means that the harvest is very poor.
On other occasions sowing more than we need results in an abundance
of plants growing so there are plenty to give away. Paul reminds us
that if we are mean in our sowing then the harvest will be poor.
It is God’s grace that produces in us a generosity of spirit. God’s
generosity is without measure and we who have received it respond
without measure or calculating the cost.
But it is important to recognise that whatever we give to God is not a
result of compulsion. It is the freewill offering of a generous spirit. As
we give, so God blesses. We don’t give to gain the blessing of God,
that is the by product of living in the Spirit. Indeed it will not be just
financial giving, it will affect every dimension of life for we will want to
be generous and open handed in how we give.
For Further Reading: Acts 10:1-6 - Cornelius's generosity results in an angelic visitor.
To Ponder: To what extent have you caught the generosity of spirit? Today look for a generous action from another and thank God for it. Make one new generous act of your own today.
To Pray: Lord Jesus, may your generosity of spirit so inhabit my mind and actions that it is second nature today and all the days of my life. Amen.
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