Cheerful Sacrifice for Others

“Here is something to remember. The one who plants only a little will gather only a little. And the one who plants a lot will gather a lot. You should each give what you have decided in your heart to give. You shouldn't give if you don't want to. You shouldn't give because you are forced to. God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to shower all kinds of blessings on you. In all things and at all times you will have everything you need. You will do more and more good works. It is written, ‘They have spread their gifts around to poor people. Their good works continue forever.’(Psalm 112:9)
God supplies seed to the planter. He supplies bread for food. God will also supply and increase the amount of your seed. He will increase the results of your good works. You will be made rich in every way. Then you can always give freely. We will take your many gifts to the people who need them. And they will give thanks to God. Your gifts meet the needs of God's people. And that's not all. Your gifts also cause many people to thank God.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-12 NIrV)

Covetousness is the illicit desire to have what belongs to another. Generosity is the godly desire for others in need to have what I possess. One cannot be covetous and generous at the same time. Paul turns our attention to those guiding principles concerning generosity which counter covetousness. The first principle of sowing and reaping can be stated very simply: The way you sow is the way you reap. There is a sense in which we should give away our excess material possessions to the poor and expect nothing from them in return. It is also true that when we do so, we know we will be rewarded by our Lord for our generosity in heaven. In these challenging times, can we afford not to give?

So what causes delays in giving…Some of us may have had a bad year in business and our ability to give may be diminished. Some may have lost heart and decided that since we can only contribute a fraction of what we promised, we might as well give nothing. Others of us may have been swindled by our Christian brother and we are hesitant to give. Another family may have been through a very difficult year and determined that they will use their promised contribution to take a much needed vacation.

When we give to the work of the church and outreach ministries, we give to those who need to see, feel, and hear the words of Jesus. Paul says it meets the needs of God’s people. He also says it causes these folks to in turn praise our God and Father. It’s a good thing to clothe a homeless man, deliver a meal to a needy family, or tutor a child in Math or English and see the resulting improved grades. But it’s even more rewarding to see the person we help in turn praise the God we serve and the One who causes us to serve. As we meet needs from your gifts, people experience God and ask to be saved!

If we don’t give, children and families go in need; for food, for clothing, for tutoring, for a friend, for love…God’s love! Thanks for your cheerful sacrifice for others.