Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:6-8
Just as you excel in everything . . . see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
-2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV)
I re-read the card that contained the generous gift — enough money to nearly pay for a visit to our family in Japan. The widow who gave it to us told us that both the gift and the amount were God’s idea and that she was just being obedient. What a blessing to us, and what a lesson for me!
Her faith and generosity challenged my attitude toward giving in general, and money in particular. We are a single-income family, and what I had always considered being “careful” I now saw as stinginess and lack of faith.
Paul told the Corinthians that God will give us enough to allow us to be generous in every circumstance. This generosity involves not only our attitude toward money but also toward our time, energy, talents, and hospitality.
We have the supreme example in Jesus, who gave up everything he had for us so that we might share in everything that he has. We cannot out-give God, who draws on heaven’s immense store to give back to us immeasurably more than we have given to others. In doing so, God inspires us to participate in an ongoing cycle of generosity.
Colette Williams (South Australia, Australia)
Prayer
Dear Father, help us to give cheerfully and to be generous in all things, as you are generous with us. Amen.