“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.
We are blessed to be a blessing. This is a phrase my husband has used for years, and it is a phrase that has true biblical meaning. “Blessed to be a blessing” does not mean if you give you will be blessed. It means that since you are blessed, God wants to use you to change the world around you by blessing others.
Generosity is one of the ways God chooses to use us to change the world. Generosity gets the focus off of us and onto others. A generous heart is a cheerful giver who is happy to give time, money, food, or kindness to people in need.
Although we are blessed to be a blessing, generosity is not only about giving out of abundance. Generosity is also about putting others needs before our own wants and desires. At times, God may call us to give out of our own need.
Luke 21:1-4 says, “Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’”
Jesus was enthusiastic about generosity. He knew the joy and fulfillment available to those who are generous.
Whether we give from our abundance or our need, God has a promise for those who develop a generous heart. “Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health,” Psalm 41:1-3.
As a Generous Leader, here are three things you can pray about:
- Pray that God would put a heart of generosity on everyone who calls Jesus Lord.
- Pray for the people in need in your community to experience God’s love through generosity.
- Ask God to open your eyes to ways you can be more generous.
Recent Comments