Welcome to the thirty-first Faith Lutheran Daily Devotion for this Stewardship season!
The Joy of Generosity by Pam Larson
2 Corinthians 9: 6-8
The point is this: The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
There is no formula as to how much to give, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” But there is a cause-and-effect relationship: a direct proportion (mathematically speaking). The first verse says sow sparingly, reap sparingly. Sow bountifully, reap bountifully.
This doesn’t mean that if we give away great wealth, great wealth will be returned to us… our reward will likely end up looking different that the things we give away. Just as when a farmer sows the seed, then the reward, or the fruit of the harvest, will be more than just seeds. Give away our time, give away our possessions, give away our money, and I believe we will find great JOY as our reward when we give generously. Our life will be fruitful, as in the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22)
Lastly, “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance…having enough of everything.” Notice, this doesn’t say that you will have everything you want. But you will have enough. How much is enough? It is likely MUCH less than what we have. Can we give some or most of what we have away and still have enough? Try it and see! You are promised an abundant life!
Dear God, give me the courage to trust your word. I want to trust that if I give of my time, my money, and my possessions that I will have enough of everything. Moreover, I will have all the fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, kindness, and more. I want to live an abundant life. Make me a cheerful giver. Amen.