How To Be A Happy Giver
When We Gather
February 26, 2023
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. —2 Corinthians 9:6
- THINK LIKE A FARMER
9Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. —Proverbs 3:9-10
24One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. —Proverbs 11:24
7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. —2 Corinthians 9:7
2.CHOOSE TO BE CHEERFUL
8And 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. 9As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10Now 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. 11You 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. —2 Corinthians 9:8-11
3.TELL YOUR HEART WHOSE GOT YOU BACK
God gives to you before you give so that you can give, and then He gives to you after you give so you can keep giving.
Reluctance to sow generously, then, reflects a refusal to trust that God is all sufficient and all gracious. It also assumes that we can only give when we are prospering and have something extra that we will not need for ourselves. Paul says that at all times God provides us with all that we need so there is never any time when we cannot be generous. —David Garland
Generosity reveals what you actually believe about the character of God.
12This 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. 13Because 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. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. —2 Corinthians 9:12-14
4.ENJOY THE FRUIT
15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! —2 Corinthians 9:15