Wednesday, February 28, 2024
After the Message... The Way of Generosity
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. As it is written: He distributed freely; he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 CSB
Every Good Gift
As Christians we sometimes fail to understand or remember that everything we have is because God gave it to us. There is nothing that we have that was not a gift from Him, and He gives us so many good gifts. He gives gifts of physical nature such as meeting our physical needs. He also gives gifts we cannot see or touch, but we can feel them. Gifts like love, joy, peace, and many more. Our very lives are a gift. Every day we wake up is a gift.
We have life and are alive today because God wills it.
The air in our lungs…
The beating of our heart…
The children we raised….
The family we love…
The friends we treasure…
All the things we probably take for granted at times...
God demonstrates His love for us by giving. He gives abundant grace and generosity for all believers because no matter what our circumstances are, we are all heirs of His kingdom, joint heirs with Christ. He gave us a beautiful world to live in and enjoy and other good gifts because we are His children, and He loves us. He gave us the greatest gift of all in the sacrifice of His Son so we can have eternal life. We can demonstrate and extend His love for others by giving. When we give with humility, others will see God and His generous love in action.
Many Christians struggle with tithing. All the gifts God gives are ours for a season and we are to steward and share the gifts He gives. We often do not like to part with some of the gifts He gives, like money. Sometimes it is fear or lack of faith that keeps us from giving or tithing. We are not sure we will be able to pay all the bills if we give our tithe. But God gives the gifts, and He wants us to trust Him enough to be obedient. If we can be humbly obedient, He will provide for our needs. Obedience brings a kind of peace that nothing else will, no matter what the bank account says, and no matter what others say and think. Our money and our possessions belong to God, and he gives them to us for a season to steward.
Tithing is not about what God needs. He doesn’t need our money – He owns it all anyway. Tithing is about our heart and our obedience. Giving generously is not about a number or an amount. Giving generously is about being willing to be obedient with what we have, and we are called to live open handed with what God has given us, sowing generously in His name. When we give generously as He has loved us generously, our lives will be enriched by being obedient with the gifts He has given and the joy we will feel when we help others who are in need.
