Thursday / Sow Generously
Read 2 Corinthians 9: 6-11 (NLT)
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need, and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
Think
I’ve always had a problem with food. Specifically, I’ve worried about not having enough, about running out, about going hungry. I’m not really sure why I’ve felt this way, I just know it’s been going on my whole life.
I like to have an overfull pantry and a bursting refrigerator. I want to know there’s a spare jar of everything and another box of cereal and always, always powdered milk and flour and sugar and anything I might need…
<takes a deep breath>
It’s a problem for me, clearly. A trust issue, definitely. And it’s not like God hasn’t always come through on God’s promise to supply all my needs! I’ve rarely gone without, hardly been hungry, never wondered where my next meal was coming from. Sure, I didn’t always have the best, gourmet meals, but there was always something.
Because I know I have this problem—this tendency to hoard food—I try to be generous with what I have. I bake for the church’s bake sales; I make desserts or appetizers for fundraising meals; I offer to cook for those who can’t. I try to be aware of my issue around food, and I try to consciously take a step back and trust God to provide.
What God asks of me isn’t really a hard thing—just to be generous and share what I’ve been given. And God promises to be faithful and provide for me in turn.
My faithfulness in giving doesn’t cause God to be faithful to me. Rather, it’s my response to God’s faithfulness—I know God will provide, so I can freely give because I know I will always have enough. My generosity is an outward sign of the inward trust I have in God.
Pray
Dear gracious, faithful God, thank you for always providing for me. I know in my head that you’ve promised to give to me out of your amazing generosity. Help me to know it in my heart as well so that I may be generous like you are. Be with me in all things as I try to step out in trust and make a difference in the world in your name. Amen.
Do
Today I’d like you to donate to a local Food Pantry. Whether it’s a community Food Bank or the Lord’s Pantry at your church, donations are always needed. Especially in these difficult, troubling times more people than ever are in need. Donating food is a concrete way you can help make someone’s life a little easier. And giving from what God has given you is a great way to demonstrate your trust in God who is the provider of all good things.
The View from Mt. Hope 