Sowing generously and cheerfully

2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 9:6‭-‬11 NIV

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. 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. As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever."  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. 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.

I taught on giving/tithing back in the summer, and as I studied Old Testament and New Testament passages in preparation for teaching, I developed a sincere belief that the tithe is a starting point and that God does promise blessing in return for our generosity and charity.  You have to be careful to avoid the doctrinal ditch on either side of orthodoxy: the prosperity gospel on one side and the poverty gospel on the other.  Giving should not be used as a means to get rich, and being poor should not be used as a means to become righteous.  Money, riches, or wealth is not inherently evil, but it can be a tool for good or a tool for evil.

Recently, I heard a sermon from Bill Johnson that cemented what I had studied and begun to believe this summer - that tithing to your church and giving consistent offerings to other ministries is good practice of Christ followers, with the desire to continually increase your giving and the expectation that God will give you more resources as you faithfully invest what He has already given you.

This sowing and reaping concept in 2 Cor 8-9 seems so clear to me now.  Jesus sowed His eternal life into humanity to reap a harvest of eternal Brothers and Sisters.  We have the opportunity to sow generously by giving love, encouragement, money, etc and reap a harvest of righteousness.  And the Lord will refill our seed silos so that we can sow more next time.

God has implicitly embedded a pattern/fractal of exponential/geometric increase into the framework of generosity (sowing and reaping).

The terms "sparingly" and "generously" are relative terms - relative to what you have, not what you don't have.  The Lord loves the grateful, cheerful, childlike heart that continually wants to give more to be more like Jesus, who gave it all.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your kindness and mercy.  Thank you for your generous gift through Christ.  May I celebrate your generosity, especially this Christmas season.  Lord Jesus, thank you for your example.  Holy Spirit, please help me listen to your promptings and obey.  Please grow a harvest of righteousness for your glory.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.