6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[a] will also reap bountifully.7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency[b] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ESV)
There is much wrapped in these three verses about how God views and responds to our giving. I have written often of being aware of how we use God’s gifts of time, talent and treasure. God may bless us richly in one or all of these categories, but more than anything He is looking at how we use them. Are we selfish or generous.
When we are stingy with one of these we not only dishonor God who gave them to us willingly, but we rob ourselves. In the gift given we often reap a return. Maybe not in a monetary way, but in how we feel about ourselves and how God responds to us. This is not to say that our giving is in any way buying attention from God. But, as the scripture says, how we sow so shall we reap.
I have had a few acquaintances pass away of late. Both were godly men who had sown generously of their time in our local church. Both had loving families where their influence as godly fathers was apparent. I have no idea of their financial status, but both will be greatly missed by family, friends and church members. They sowed generously and will be remembered for it and have now gone to their reward.
God is just looking for us to give of ourselves willingly, for His purposes and with cheerfulness.
