In review of 2 Corinthians 9:13 it says, ”As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ” (NLT).
Today’s verse is 2 Corinthians 9:13 and in it Paul reminds me that those I help will be glad not only because of my generous gifts, but they will praise God for it, and I will be demonstrating proof that my actions match my beliefs.
The resources God gives me are not to be hidden, foolishly devoured, or thrown away. Instead, they should be cultivated and invested in order to produce more crops. When I invest what God has given me into his work, he will provide me with even more to give in his service.
This is also a reminder for me to be generous on every occasion because of the example of the Lord of life. Generosity on my part proves that my heart has been cleansed of self-interest and filled with the servant spirit of Jesus himself. This is why acts of generosity result in God being praised. Do others see generosity in my actions?
There are three ways my generosity makes an impact on my own life:
1). It makes me happy. Acts 20:35 says, “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (NLT). Notice Jesus didn’t say it is not a blessed thing to receive. It will make me happy to receive. But the world will tell me that I will be happiest when I receive. Jesus turned that idea around and said that I will be happier when I give than when I receive.
2). It just makes sense. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (NIV). I know I’d like others to be generous with me. It doesn’t make sense for me to sow miserly selfishness but then reap generosity from God and others? God says that’s not the way life works. There is a law of sowing and reaping. So if I want to reap generosity, I need to sow generosity.
3). It shows the world what God is like. The Bible says, “As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ” (2 Corinthians 9:13 NLT).
When it comes to generosity, it would be encouraging for me to remember the incredible generosity of God. Look at the world I get to live in. Look at the life he gave me. Look at the way he meets my needs. God is the perfect model of generosity. And when I’m generous with others because of God’s generosity toward me, it points others to Him.
Bottom Line:
A result of my obedience and generosity not only gives joy to the recipient but glory to God.
What this means to me:
My generosity to others will not only bring much needed resources to those in need, but also gladness in their hearts and glory they will give to God for providing. My generosity also demonstrates my beliefs and values.
In summary, my generosity not only provides, but it gives the receiver the opportunity to praise God for his provision. What God provides me should not be hidden away, foolishly devoured or squandered. It should be cultivated or invested to produce more. When I do, God will provide me with even more to give in his service. Generosity on my part proves that my heart has been cleansed of self-interest and filled with the servant spirit of Christ. My generosity will help make me happy, will make sense and help show those around me what God is like. My generosity gives me the ability to demonstrate and show that my actions match my beliefs.
This morning I thank you Father for you extreme generosity to me day in and day out. Today’s verse is a great reminder that builds on my top life values of living with integrity, humility, generosity and purpose. Generosity is not only what I do with money, but also generosity with my resources and my time. I need to give my time away generously as well. I have been trying to guard my time, as I keep obtaining more demands for it. I think I need to consider how I can think differently about it and make sure I’m giving my time to the right things, such as time with my staff and the people around my life. Father I pray for your continued wisdom and guidance in my work activities, how I lead and how I interact with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, Amen!
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