Generosity Encouraged

2CO 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

As God continued to teach me with His Word in 2 Corinthians, He brought me back to these familiar verses on giving generously.

What is God's definition of generosity? The following verses seem to give me the answer:

2CO 8:1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

It seems clear that the generosity valued most by God is not when we give out of our abundance, but rather when we are still willing to give when we are hard pressed, either financially or in terms of time. This seems very consistent with the story of the poor old widow giving her last 2 copper dimes to God.

As David has so famously said, "I will not give to the Lord anything that costs me nothing." (1 Chr 21:24 - paraphrase mine).

Indeed, as God leads me through the growing phases of life, when personal time gets more scarce and financial resourses at times seem so stretched as responsibilities and obligations increase, it is sometimes so easy to try to rationalise cutting back the giving of our time and resources to the Kingdom of God. But God's encouragement to me is clear:

2CO 9:10 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 made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2CO 9:12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men 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!

Instead of cutting back, I believe God's will is that I continue to learn to give of myself to Him, because as I do so, it demonstrates quite a few things that pleases Him: thanksgiving, trust and faith in Him, as well as obedience that accompanies my confession of the gospel of Christ.

Yet God is gracious and patient; He does not want me to give grudgingly, but rather give what I have decided to give in my heart. But His Word and promises are so clear, and only serves to motivate me to continue to stretch to try to give more of myself for the glory of His Kingdom.

Because I recognise that if I do respond and obey God in this area more and more, the person who benefits most is not God, or even the people who will be helped and blessed by my giving.

It is I who will be most blessed; and above all, it brings glory to Him.