In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 I read, “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.” (NIV)
When it comes to your giving, there are two principles you need to remember, and they’re based on 2 Corinthians 9:6-8: “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” (NIV).
The first is the principle of harvest: What I sow, I’m going to reap, for good or for bad. In other words, I’ll harvest whatever I plant. This is true about money, but it’s also true about everything else, too.
If I sow criticism, people will criticize me. If I sow gossip, guess what? Others will gossip about me. If I plant resentment, people will resent me.
What do I need more of? Whatever it is, give it away, and I’ll get more back. Do I need more energy? Then I’ll have to spend energy through exercise. Do I need more affirmation in my life? Give it away by affirming others.
If I take a kernel of corn and plant it in the ground, do I get one kernel back? No, I get hundreds back. I’ll always get back more than I put in.
The second principle is that there’s always a delay between planting and harvest. When I plant a seed in the ground, I don’t get an ear of corn the next day. I plant in one season, and I harvest in another.
The same is true in giving. I give to others. I give to God. I give my life away, but I don’t reap the results the next day. There is a season of waiting before God gives me the harvest. Why? Because God is testing my faith to see if I’ll trust him while there’s a delay between planting and harvesting.
While I’m planting and waiting, I can trust God will provide grace so that “having all that I need, I will abound in every good work.”
Remember these two principles: First, I reap what I sow; second, I plant in one season but have to wait and harvest in another. Learn these principles and apply them to life, and I'll have so much joy in giving!
In summary, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. So give what I have decided in my heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. God is able to bless me abundantly, at all times, and having all that I need, I will abound in every good work. When it comes to my giving, there are two principles I need to remember. The first is the principle of harvest: What I sow, I’m going to reap, good or for bad. I’ll harvest whatever I plant. This is not only true about money, but about everything else. What do I need more of? Whatever it is, give it away, and I’ll get more back. If I take a kernel of corn and plant it in the ground, do I get one kernel back? No, I get hundreds back. I’ll always get back more than I put in. The second principle is that there’s always a delay between planting and harvest. When I plant a seed in the ground, I don’t get a crop the next day. I plant in one season, and I harvest in another. The same is true in giving. I give, but I don’t reap the results the next day. There is a season of waiting before God gives me the harvest. This occurs because God is testing my faith to see if I’ll trust him while there’s a delay between planting and harvesting. Meanwhile, while I’m planting and waiting, I can trust God will provide grace. Remember these two principles: First, I reap what I sow; second, I plant in one season but have to wait and harvest in another.
It's easy to hesitate to give generously to God because of the worry about having enough left over for my own needs. Paul assured the Corinthians and me that God is able to meet 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. A giving attitude is more important than the amount given. God is concerned about how a person gives from their resources. Letting go of money may reflect ungratefulness to God.
Father, thank you for Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me.
Father, help me with my attitude in giving and my trust in you to provide. Help me to remember that what I harvest is what I’ll reap and there’s always a delay between planting and harvest. Help me to trust you in the periods of waiting.
I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in my new job. I pray these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.
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