Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NIV)
Generosity Encouraged
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 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. 8 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. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
By this ‘sowing and reaping’ imagery, is Paul saying that if you give $100 you’ll get $1000? Why or why not?
Lord, let me scatter the seed of generosity so that many are blessed. The more seed of generosity and faithfulness to Your Word that I plant, the more opportunities for the fruitfulness to take root and grow. Let my motives for giving be pure. You know my heart. If the motive for giving is to test You or to look good to those around me, the attention I get will be my only reward. Help me to give as an act of love and to obey You and not to achieve a personal reward. When giving out of obedience, You will increase the spiritual life of not only the giver but also those who receive the gifts. In that sense, money becomes more than just money. Your abounding grace extends beyond the mere replenishment of resources. It becomes evidence of love given in Your name. For those who give cheerfully and willingly, You promise to provide all that that is needed to continue doing good. Enrich my character and spare me from the materialism that destroys lives. Give me discernment as I handle my financial responsibilities and allow me to hand over any financial worry and burden to You. Let me show my trust in Your faithfulness by being a good steward of all that You have given me. Please keep me from being impulsive or comparing what I give based on what others do. Help me only respond to what you put on my heart. Let me be sincere and calculated in what I give and deliberate enough to follow through on my pledges. Lord, thank you for the indescribable gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to respond with a lifestyle of generosity. Amen