In review of 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 it says, “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” (NIV).
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Paul reminds me that a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plans generously will get a generous crop. I must decide in my heart how much to give. And I shouldn’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." And God will generously provide all I need. Then I will always have everything I need and plenty left over to share with others.
People (including myself at times) may hesitate to give generously to God because of a worry about having enough money left over to meet their own needs. Paul assured the Corinthians that God was able to meet their needs. And that the person who gives only a little will receive only a little in return. So I shouldn’t let a lack of faith keep me from giving cheerfully and generously.
A giving attitude is more important than the amount given. The person who can give only a small gift shouldn't be embarrassed. God is concerned about how a person gives from his or her resources. According to that standard, the giving of the Macedonian churches would be difficult to match. God himself is a cheerful giver. Consider all he had done for us. He is pleased when we who are created in his image give generously and joyfully. Am I having a difficult time letting go of my money? Am I grateful to God for what he has provided me?
If a farmer goes out with a trailer load of beans, and he plants them in a barren field, what fruit does he expect to bear? Watermelon? Cucumbers? No. He’s going to get beans. He doesn’t doubt it. He doesn’t question it. Because whatever you plant is what you’re going to get back.
This is the law of reproduction, and it applies to every single area of your life, especially in my finances.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “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” (NIV).
This can work either positively or negatively in my life. If I’m planting seeds of kindness, people are going to be kind to me. If I forgive others, they are going to be forgiving of me. If I’m generous, people are going to be generous with me.
But if I’m angry all the time, people are going to respond in anger. If I cheat other people, people are going to cheat me. If I gossip about others, others are going to gossip about me.
The law of reproduction says I reap what I sow, but the principle of multiplication says I will also always reap more than I sow.
When you put one kernel of corn in the ground, you don’t get one kernel of corn back. You get a cornstalk with multiple ears on it and hundreds of kernels on each of those ears. This is the exponential power that God has established the universe to handle. I always get more out of it than I put into it.
It’s a good reason to never attack those against me. This way I don’t get caught in the chain. No matter what anybody says to me, I should strive to not say anything bad back to them because if I do, I’m going to reap more than I sowed. Instead I need to do the exact opposite. I bless and pray for them, because that’s what I want to receive, and I always reap more than I sow.
Proverbs 11:24 says, “The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller” (The Message).
Bottom Line:
You will reap what you sow. Give from your heart and not from reluctance or compulsion. God loves a cheerful giver.
What this means to me:
How I sow matters greatly. If I sow sparingly, I’ll reap sparingly. If I sow generously, I’ll reap generously. I need to decide in my heart what to give willingly. God loves a cheerful giver.
In summary, I will get what I sow. My giving should be from my heart and not reluctance or pressure. My attitude is more important than the amount. I will always have everything I need and plenty left over to share with others. God himself is a cheerful giver. Consider all he has done for me. Whatever I plant (positive or negative) is what I'll get back. What I receive back will always be more than I put in.
Father I thank you this morning for all that you have given me. This message of giving was also something I was reminded of a few weeks ago. While I give, I do need to re-address what I am giving since God has blessed me recently with more. I need to make this Saturday my day of “cheerful giving” and put plans together on our giving. This morning Father I pray for your continued wisdom, guidance and reminders in how I work through and delegate tasks that is in our queue. Please help me respond rightly to others. In Jesus name I pray, amen!
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