Friday 19 February, 2021

9 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now 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. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others 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. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

We are all familiar with the principles of sowing into the kingdom, but I feel a challenge to be fully engaged with my giving. It would be easy to give and tick the box – job done! But Paul is calling here for enthusiasm, engagement with the cause. Just as God generously engaged with us and gave us his son, we should be like him in generosity towards one another.

God’s generosity towards me has changed my life. In the same way here Paul reminds us our generosity will impact those we give to – stretching both our faith in trusting for provision, and helping grow the faith of others as they see their prayers answered. If our core value is to bring glory to God, then we need to give courageously, generously and with enthusiasm. In this way God will be glorified.

Heavenly Father, raise up in me a heart that is enthusiastic about giving. Help me Lord to be generous and a blessing to others. Help me Father to be consistent in my commitments and to bring Glory to your Kingdom. In Jesus name Amen.

Written by Christine Knight