Thankfully Generous

​2 Corinthians 9:10-12 ~ “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. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”
 
Some might read this Scripture text today and decide that they do not have such abundance that they could ever enrich the life of another. Then others will read it and wonder if they should part with their resources, not knowing if the cause is going to be beneficial. One morning I met a poor man on the road, and we talked of his needs. I offered what little I could and his gratitude was evident. Yet, I didn’t depart but continued to listen to his story. In the end, he gave me more in dispensing the wisdom he had gained from the LORD than I could have ever repaid if I had the wealth of Solomon to enrich his life. We must never measure our generosity based solely on our physical possessions. As we consider this text today, let us be ever thankful for the enrichment given by our LORD in our lives.
 
We read the opening of our text and discover that there is provision from God, “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of righteousness.” We forget too often that the wealth of the LORD is not merely an abundance of possessions. God will enrich your life in ways you may not yet understand, in treasures such as wisdom, knowledge or creativity. God may have poured into you a spark of music or the mathematician’s mind. It is God who supplies the very essence of life. He who pours out His blessings in common grace to all mankind shall not then be stingy to His beloved children who desire a harvest of righteousness. Consider what the Apostle Peter said to the poor beggar at the temple, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). The church of our LORD Jesus is rich with the means of scattering seed, always intent upon producing a harvest of righteousness in the lives of others as they come to faith in Christ. Will you give what you do have so that God’s work may be done through you?
 
As we continue in our text today, we discover that this is to be the practice of the saints, “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” Generosity ought to be the standard condition of the saints of the LORD. We are not enriched in any aspect of life that, as God’s children, we should hoard to ourselves the abundance of God. Let us continue to excel in generosity with glad and grateful hearts. Let me ask, by way of example, are you saddled with an excess amount of time on your hands? There are many who merely squander it to their own harm, not being generous with that precious resource. Yet, if you are willing to spend that commodity upon the lives of others it will produce thanksgiving to God. Consider the words of Acts 2:44-45, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” You may not have treasures, but you might have time and you do have talent that could be shared in plentiful proportions.
 
What a wonder that our lives could bring forth the praise of others toward God. We read the final portion of our text, “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” Two great accomplishments occur through the generosity of the saints: needs of the church are met and praise is offered to God. Perhaps you’ve been the recipient of the generous giving of another and you found your heart overflowing with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD for their kindness. Perhaps you’ve been the one who cared for a need and experienced the joyful truth, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Whether you were the giver or receiver, you were connected to the great expression of thanks being given to God.
 
Let us do as our LORD commands in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” In this way, we will always be a participant in the wonderful work of Christ, bringing glory, honor and abundant thanks to the Father.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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