“For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11, NLT)
So I have been stuck on these verses for a few weeks now. Money and giving. Funny how they can become a struggle in our lives without us even realizing it …
- How much do we give?
- How much do we spend?
- Do we really need to tithe?
- Do I have to give if things are tight at home?
- How do I know what they will do with the money I give?
Over the weekend, through some conversations with a friend, and spending time in these verses, here is what hit me …
1) God first provides seed and then comes the bread. I wonder if too often, we want the bread before we will give the seed away.
2) He provides so we will give and then increases our resources. I wonder if too often, we wait until our resources are increased. Then we say He has provided and feel a little better able to give. Do we wait until we feel “comfortable”, that we have enough or our own needs are met, before we will give?
3) Giving begets generosity. God provides the very seed to give away, so that there is greater generosity birthed in us.
4) Giving enriches our lives. He enriches our lives through our giving, SO THAT we will ALWAYS be generous. It is as we give together in community, see the outcome, realize lives are being changed, needs are being met that our own lives also become enriched and we become even more generous.
As I looked at all this and pondered it, I stumbled across an interesting word – “haplotes”. It is the Greek word for generous. And here is what I am learning – this word means “generosity, sincerity. This noun means the positive moral quality of being genuine and authentic as an expression of singularity in purpose and motivation. It can also mean giving to another in a free-handed manner, with the implication that the giving is sincere and not with duplicitous purposes” (from the NLT Study Bible, Hebrew and Greek Word Studies).
When He tells us to be generous, His desire is that our giving would be genuine, with authenticity. He wants us to give free-handed out of our love and obedience towards Him.
We often wait to “feel” generous before we give.
And God says, “Give and you will be astounded at how generous I will make you.”
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and True Story and RaRa Linkup and Intentional Tuesday .
“Astounded” Yes, I need to live that way.
Linking up with you today at Testimony Tuesday, and I need to go and read your review of Untangled. Blessings on your week!
I want to live astounded – generously – all my days. You continually bless, Michele!
This is a perfect image – showing hands out generosity. Open. Letting Go. Trusting God. You inspire me to let go just a little more. Thank you. Cheering on your truth today from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
Kelly, you are right – may we let go and give a little bit more each & every day. It’s always good to join you!
Joanne, what insight that our giving produces a harvest of generosity in us. In my own life I have always found God gives seed to the sower and that since it is all His anyways, He blesses the remaining when I give Him the first fruits. But I also know I have asked all the questions you listed and a few more. Thank you, Joanne, for sharing your heart on #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing. : )
Crystal, like you, I have never regretted the times I have been generous. I’m desiring to be free-handed, not holding back as He leads. Grateful you shared with me.
Pressed down and overflowing is what God promises to give back to us when we are obedient to give. Yes, our church (where we are fed) should have our financial support of the tithe. Then there are missionaries, organizations you can trust and ministries outside of your church that are extra. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a story.
I found when I withheld the tithe because times were tough – something would happen that I had to use the tithe to pay for the emergency. Soon I caught on that the blessing had been removed and trouble came in. Wow.
Hazel, so much to learn when it comes to giving. So grateful He is patient to teach us & grow us in obedience. I’m blessed to join you each week 🙂