Tag: sow sparingly
Day 3–Cheerful Giving Produces Thanksgiving
Scripture reading for April 15: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 11-12 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” . . . .“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”
Some people struggle to give their money or time and talents to others in need. They are stingy and give reluctantly fearing lack themselves. They find it hard to serve others voluntarily and use their own energy or resources to bless those who cannot help them. This stinginess results in a diminished harvest back to them. God’s Word declares that if we sow (give) sparingly, we will reap sparingly.
But God, Himself, sets the example for us. He is a lavish giver to all. He sends His blessings of rain and grain to the just and the unjust. (Psalm 65:9-13) He instructs us that if we sow abundantly, we will reap abundantly. This can be giving money, but it is also our time, our energy, our talents and our love and care. When we give, God promised that all grace will abound in our lives and we will have plenty more to give in the harvest coming our way. God loves a cheerful and abundant giver.
But another harvest is also produced when we give cheerfully. The people we bless are thankful and thank God and us for our giving. God is blessed by the thanksgiving, and He in turn pours out more blessing on us. As responders, we can apply these truths every time we respond to a call for help. We give our time and talents voluntarily with joy and thanksgiving. As we sow abundantly, the thanksgiving will flow and blessings from our work as well. What a way to live in abundance!
Prayer: Father God, I want to sow abundantly of my time, talents, and resources to produce a harvest of thanksgiving to You. Thank You for the promise of abundant harvest to multiply thanksgiving. Amen.
God loves cheerful giving!
Scripture reading for September 7th: 2nd Corinthians 9:1-15
How do you respond when the preacher calls for the offering? What happens when he asks for a second offering to help with missions or benevolence? Do you find yourself groaning or speaking negatively to yourself? If you have trouble with these questions, the Lord wants to help you with a new attitude!
Paul was preparing the Corinthians for his own coming to receive an offering for the saints at Jerusalem and did not want to come and find them unprepared. “So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2nd Corinthians 9:5-7)
Notice how Paul encouraged them to give. They were to plan ahead what they should give. Each person should decide in his heart what to give. No one should put pressure on them or force them, because this would make them reluctant or grudging givers. They should be like farmers sowing seeds for a harvest. The more seed they sowed, the bigger would be their harvest. They should plant this giving seed with a cheerful heart of faith because God would bring a harvest. God loves cheerful givers because that is how He gives to us! “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2nd Corinthians 9:8)
God supplies the needs of His people through faithful giving. This brings praise to His Name and a supply of blessing to those who give! “This service that you perform (generous, cheerful giving) is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies you confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and everyone else.” (2nd Corinthians 9:12-13) Let’s cause an overflow of thanksgiving by giving!
God loves the cheerful giver!
Scripture reading for September 7th: 2nd Corinthians 9:1-15
How do you respond when the preacher calls for the offering? What is you feeling when he asks for a second offering to help with missions or benevolence? Do you find yourself groaning or speaking negatively to yourself? If you have trouble with these questions, the Lord wants to help you with a new attitude!
Paul was preparing the Corinthians for his own coming to receive an offering for the saints at Jerusalem and did not want to come and find them unprepared. “So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2nd Corinthians 9:5-7)
Notice how Paul encouraged them to give. They were to plan ahead what they should give. Each person should decide in his heart what to give. No one should put pressure on them or force them, because this would make them reluctant or grudging givers. They should be like farmers sowing seeds for a harvest. The more seed they sowed, the bigger would be their harvest. They should plant this giving seed with a cheerful heart of faith because God would bring a harvest. God loves cheerful givers because that is how He gives to us! “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2nd Corinthians 9:8)
God supplies the needs of His people through faithful giving. This brings praise to His Name and a supply of blessing to those who give! “This service that you perform (generous, cheerful giving) is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies you confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and everyone else.” (2nd Corinthians 9:12-13) Let’s cause an overflow of thanksgiving by giving!