In my post from 2 Corinthians 8, we heard Paul’s teaching on giving and how we should see it as a privilege and not an obligation. What exactly are we giving? Perhaps it’s our time. Perhaps it’s a portion of our income. Perhaps it’s both. What we give is between us and God. Here again, Paul teaches that we should give cheerfully.
I don’t know about you, but from my experience when I am generous with my giving, it just feels good. There is some satisfaction about putting our tithe in the offering each week. Even when it was an auto-deduct from our bank account, I knew it was happening and it gave me joy. God can do so much more with that gift than I can by holding on to it.
I loved how Paul used a parable here to help us visualize. Stories are always so powerful. “Remember this — a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” We don’t all need to be farmers to understand the truth being revealed here. If you have planted anything, you know that sometimes seeds don’t sprout, so you need to have more than you need. Even if your seeds sprout, sometimes they don’t survive. The bottom line is be as generous as you are able and be cheerful about it.
We don’t need to fear when we give wondering how we can afford to give anything at all. There is a promise here that we can rely on, and I’ve experienced it first-hand to be true. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” If you are ever in doubt, remember who created everything you see. We are just the caretakers of all that we have. God has gifted us everything and wants us to have only the best.
Isn’t it cool to think that God gets the glory when we give generously? We don’t. It’s not about us. It’s about our faithfulness to our God, our provider, our friend, our redeemer. Our obedience even in the act of giving will lead to rewards for us. How do we respond to that grace? “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”
Let’s pray… Lord, I thank you with all that I am for how you provide for me each day. Only when I let the cares of the world infiltrate my mind do I get caught up in the uncertainty of life. I know that you are my redeemer and friend. I know that I can trust you with my life. Create in me a cheerful heart and may be even more generous with what I give in your name. Thank you for the gift. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
