In review of 2 Corinthians 9:6 I'm reminded to “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (NIV).
Often people hesitate to give generously to God because they worry about having enough left over to meet their own needs. In this passage Paul assured the Corinthians that God was able to meet their needs. The person who gives only a little will receive only a little in return. I shouldn’t let a lack of faith keep me from giving cheerfully and generously. My attitude in giving is more important than the amount given. God is concerned about how I give from my resources. God himself is a cheerful giver. Consider all he has done for me. He is pleased when I, who was created in his image, give generously and joyfully as well. When I have a difficult time letting go, it may reflect ungratefulness to God. God gives me resources to use and invest for him. The resources I'm given are to not be hidden, foolishly devoured, or thrown away. Rather, they are to be cultivated in order to produce more crops. When I invest what God has given me in his work, he will provide me with even more to give in his service.
If I sow criticism, I’ll reap criticism? If I sow kindness, I’ll reap kindness. If I sow generosity, I’ll reap generosity. If I sow energy, I’ll reap energy. What I sow is what I reap. This is the principle of sowing and reaping.
“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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV).
Every farmer knows this principle. If a farmer has four sacks of seed in his barn and looks at his barren field, he doesn’t start griping, “There’s no crop—I wish there was a crop!” He just goes out and starts planting seed. That seed then reproduces, and the farmer gets more than he had when he started.
Likewise when I have a need, plant a seed. The only way the farmer gets anything out of the seed is by planting it. If he holds on to it, then that’s all he’ll ever have. But if he lets it go, it multiplies.
This principle of sowing and reaping is true with everything in my life! It may seem illogical that when I have a need, than I need to give. That’s why it requires faith.
God set it up that way because He is a giver. He is the most generous giver in the universe, and he wants me to learn to be like him. If I don’t learn to be generous and I’m always worrying about what I’ve got rather than giving it away, I’ll never be like Christ.
God says that he’ll reward me when I choose to be like him and give generously: “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38 NLT).
If I hoard my money, that will be all I’ve got. But when I give it away, God multiplies it in ways that bless me and bring him glory.
In summary, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Give a little only receive a little. Don't let a lack of faith keep from giving cheerfully and generously. My attitude is more important than the amount. God gives me resources to use and invest for him. I'm not to hide them, or foolishly devour them, or throw them away. They are to be cultivated to produce more. When I invest what he gave into my work, he will provide me with more for his service. So when I have a need, I need to plant a seed. It will require faith. When I give it away, God multiplies it in ways that bless me and bring him glory.
As I reflect on this today, what comes to mind is my time. I’m busy, but am I busy with the right things that are investments in what would further his Kingdom? There are a lot of things that need to be done in my work life. I need to consider that I”m not the only one who can provide it. I need to learn to en-trust and delegate it to others. I need to concentrate on relationships and not tasks.
I pray Father that through your help, encouragement and presence of your Spirit within me that you help guide my thoughts to give away the things I want to have more of. I also ask for your wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I ask through your Son Jesus name, Amen.
0 comments:
Post a Comment