Scripture:
2 Corinthians 9:6-11 ESV
[6] The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [7] Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God can make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. [9] As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” [10] He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Observation:
Thinking about what to write this morning, I had a lot of good ideas. I thought about the rewards of diligent hands or what it means to trust GOD. then HE brought these scriptures to mind. The combination of both. Paul was speaking to the Corinthians. Encouraging them to give, and not in a small amount. His statement was basically this. ” If you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly.” Encouraging the Corinthians to give as they have decided in their heart. Without reservation. He wants them to know that their giving has everything to do with their heart position. Are they giving because they feel an obligation or out of a heart that wants to give? Was there joy in their hearts when they gave, or was it a position reluctance? Freely given and freely, you will receive. He brings the focus back to GOD’S grace and how when you release something in the heavenly realm, it does not go unnoticed. The heavenly Father sees it and will supply more so that the good work can continue. Giving freely to the poor will produce a crop of righteousness. what Paul is saying in short is that when you have a heart that is in a position to give. You will not go without. GOD loves a cheerful giver, and HE rewards those who diligently seek HIM. Let’s just take this back to the gospel real fast. John 3:16 says that GOD loved the world that HE gave… yes, HE gave ok on that note it’s time for the application
Application:
It was hard to stay on the observation of this scripture when I watched the principles of these verses take place in so many lives. Giving is something that seems to make no sense, but we have to remember that GOD does not think like we do. So let’s go back to the gospel I started in the observation. John 3:16 GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only son that who so ever believes in HIM will have eternal life. Now I want you to think about a seed. I know you’re thinking this makes no sense, but just stay with me. GOD sowed the seed of Jesus and received all of us as a heaverst. HE gave HIS only SON and received an aboundence of sons and daughters. But what are you saying, Eric? Well, it’s like this… you can’t plant a crop if you won’t let go of the seeds. You have to put them in the ground. I know it goes against everything the world teaches us. They tell us that if we want to have a lot of money we have to save our money. But I’m telling you that’s not how GOD works. HE is selfless. HE rewards selfless giving. Giving is sowing seeds. The question really comes down to do you trust GOD? Because what HE says is either true or it’s not, and if one part of it is a lie, then the whole bible is in question. The scripture above tells me you can not out give GOD. I know this to be true. I have tried, and it just doesn’t work. How can you out give the one who gave it all. The main point is this. Do not give to get… give to give. If that is your standpoint, GOD will always make sure you have more than enough to give. Here is the thing. It will come in the form of opportunities most of the time. I want us to remember this. When we plant a seed. We may not see a harvest right away. But there will be a harvest. If you plant the crop with very few seeds, the harvest will not be thick and plentiful… it will be thin and weak. Sow the seed you have been given, and the return will feed you your family and many other families. The Bible tells me that if I bring my tithe to the storehouse, GOD will open up the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so big my barns can not contain it. It’s the one principle HE tells me to test HIM on. So you know what. I do. The thing is, HE has never let me down. I always have what I need and then some. So this is my challenge to you if you have not been giving. Because you have bills to pay. I want to stretch your faith… give and see the crop the HE brings. Give and HE will release the rain from heaven so the seed will grow. It really comes down to do you trust GOD or if you trust the work of your hands.
Prayer:
Father, we trust you. It’s all yours. Seeds can’t grow if we don’t plant them. So we ask that you show us that the only way to produce a harvest is to plant. Oh, sure, we can glean from the fields of our neighbors and survive. But that’s not how you made us. We trust that you are who you say you are, and you will do what your word says you will do. We know that as we release what you have given us. You will make sure we will be able to continue to do so. You are an amazing GOD. All you want is that we love you and others. Help us to meet the needs of those around us for your glory. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray amen.