YOU FREELY RECEIVED, NOW FREELY GIVE!

YOU FREELY RECEIVED, NOW FREELY GIVE!

 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. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 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. —II Corinthians 9:6-10

            Generosity… Are you generous?  The one who “sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”  So what will your harvest look like?  This is a decision that you will make in your heart— the real person, the inner person.  This decision is one to be made without reluctance or feeling one is under compulsion.  No, this giving, this sowing is to be done cheerfully.  It is to be a joy to be able to give toward our Lord’s work.  It is to be a joy to give toward helping others for our Lord’s glory.

            Are you a cheerful giver?  Not only of finances, but are you a cheerful giver of your time in service to our Lord?  Are you a cheerful giver in the use of your resources, abilities and giftedness?  Is your focus on being a giver… or a taker?  Are you focused on the needs of others or your own needs?  God knows your heart and we will give account to Him according to our heart— “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God” (I Corinthians 4:5).

            We can be sure of this that “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”  What will be the harvest from the life our Lord has given you?  Our Lord’s grace prepares us for every good work that He has for us (Ephesians 2:8-10).  He supplies what we need to sow.  He gives us food for strength to sow.  He will multiply our seed for sowing and it is He who will “increase the harvest of your righteousness.”  So let us be faithful in sowing and trust Him for the harvest.  Let us be generous followers of Jesus— “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8).  So how will you put this into practice today? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS1ndKgU36I

I am so grateful dear Father for all that You have done for me, in me and through me.  Now may I seek to be more of what You desire and to serve more faithfully according to Your desires.  Today please work in and through me to impact others for Your glory and their benefit.  May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  Yes, so be it!