Produce Thanksgiving

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV

Reflection: how can our actions cause thanksgiving to God? 

Generosity is perhaps mostly associated with giving money. But, if you have been around a truly generous person, you see a generous behavior in everything they do. With their money, yes, but also with what they own, with their time, and even with the words they use. In a way, they are really sharing of themselves. When you have been around a truly generous person, you might have received a physical gift, perhaps been at their home for dinner or they picked up the tab for lunch. But even more importantly, you feel enriched being with them, in your mind, even in your soul. Their generous heart caused you to be filled with joy and thanksgiving. 

But where does generous behavior originate from? 

In our focus verse today, Paul discusses giving. But let’s not get confused here that this is just about money. He says “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ESV. Now, the focus was around a monetary gift they were collecting to the saints in need. But notice the last sentence, where Paul concludes the purpose of God’s blessings, “so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 

And you probably noticed the point that Paul makes, often quoted, that “God loves a cheerful giver”, which really means that generosity, or giving, comes from the heart. He makes several Old Testament references, “As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, 

which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:9-11 ESV

Ahh – there it is!  That through our generosity, we can produce thanksgiving to God!  What a beautiful thought that is, that others will be thanking God because they ran into us! That we impacted them in a positive way, whether it was money or a thing we gave them, or perhaps a generous word we said to them, or we took of our time to be with them; time, the most precious thing we have which cannot be purchased, sold or traded. 

Paul called generosity a service, or a ministry, “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 ESV

Is there something that is hard for us to give to others? Not just money, but are our hearts truly generous? If we stare long enough at Jesus, our Lord, at what he gave us, it changes our hearts. Let his generosity fill our hearts today.

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