LEARNING DAILY

2 Corinthians 9:6-8, The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Pastor Jonathan Moore spoke this weekend about being generous with the finances God has given to us as Believers. He began with the question: “what happens when [Believers] give?” He discussed the apostle Paul urging the Corinthians to follow through with their commitment to meet the needs of Jerusalem Christians.

In the verses from 1 Corinthian 9, Paul writes about why giving generously in this way is so important. Paul refers to Proverbs 11:24-25, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” The thought is one who is generous often finds their kindness repaid, especially during difficult times. Those who are greedy or sting during these same times do not. This is seen in both the physical and spiritual world – to receive a large harvest greater planting must take place. It is obvious that the one who plants more seeds receives a greater harvest.

Pastor Moore stated, “Giving stretches my faith.” “God does not need your money; He wants to stretch your faith” (JM). Audrey wrote in her notes that God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. The idea being that God wanted to have Abraham’s heart. 1 Timothy 6:17-18, “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.” “Be rich in doing; be ready to give. Giving brings joy and brings blessing!” (JM).

His second point was, “Giving makes me more like Jesus.” Audrey wrote, “Giving and forgiving makes us more like Jesus; giving reminds us that Jesus is our master, not our money.” Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 8:8 that we are not commanded to give, but giving is a way to show our love for others is true. When we give, we begin to draw closer to God and what He has for us (Audrey’s notes).

Lastly, “Giving shapes my future.” “God attaches blessings to giving” (JM). 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Audrey wrote that giving just to receive a blessing is not the reason to give; we give as we trust God to use what He has given us to help those in need. It is a heart issue.

I would like to use Pastor Moore’s remarks toward Believers being generous to the needs around us. There are plenty of needs around us. The homeless issue is very real. There are needs in shelters that take in not only the homeless, but those who have lost homes, had to leave homes due to abuse, and people who have greater needs because politicians cannot fund the government because politics get in the way. Yes, there are all sorts of excuses for not helping people on the street corners and ignoring the needs of people who have trouble helping themselves.

Perhaps the people of God ought to be generous and let God sort out what the people we help do with what we generously give to them from out heart.