Great Giving Advice

Let me share some great advice on giving from 2 Corinthians chapter 9, verses 6-7: 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. First, are you willing to sow bountifully? The specific application here relates to money. Are you willing to give abundantly…not so that you can receive more money, but so that you can reap blessings; primarily for the benefit of others. So many people are stingy with their sowing, and they reap a very small harvest. You can test God in this. When you sow bountifully, you will reap a great harvest.   Has there been any time in your life in the past six months where you have given extravagantly? Of course, the “amount” of extravagance is relative to your supply. The widow’s two mites were extravagant and bountiful yet for us that would be stingy and sparing.

Second, are you giving in a cheerful manner? The amount that you sow is important but the attitude with which you sow is just as important. God wants us to freely give to Him. God wants us to be glad to give to Him. Cheerfulness can characterize our giving. When we give cheerfully and bountifully we will reap an incredible harvest; mostly for the consumption of others but isn’t that it’s all about anyway for the follower of Jesus? Let’s follow His giving advice…we won’t be disappointed.