September 29^th

Give 

2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (NLT)  

⁶Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.  

⁷You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ⁸And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ⁹As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”  

¹⁰For 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. ¹¹Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.  

If our Journey of Generosity has revealed anything, surely it is that God is a Generous God. This is at the center of the generous life. Generosity begins and ends in God. If it finds its source anywhere else…it is limited and scarce. It won’t last. 

Before moving on, I’d like you to read back through the text above very slowly and note what is it that God provides/produces? As I did this, I noted at least 7 things, there are perhaps more. 

[seriously…go back and read the text 😊…what does God provide/produce?] 

If God provides and produces in this way, how might this shape how we give? Just to get you started, finish this statement: 

God, you provide _____________________________________. Therefore I can give _________________________. 

Let’s pray this together… 

Oh God who gives without measure, as we come and see and give…may we live in ways that reflect your generosity. May none of the seeds you entrust to us remain in the bag but rather be scattered freely.