Issue 6 - Day 4

2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

6. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

We are sticking with the subject of giving today, and if Paul devotes 15% of this letter to the subject it is worth taking note. We have seen how we are to abound in all areas, including giving, but are you giving because you have to, because you feel you should, just enough to cover? These verses are not saying to not give if your heart is not in it. Rather, it is saying change your heart.

When a farmer harvests the crop he will sell some, and eat some himself (or store it to do the same later). A portion however, he will set aside to plant for the following year. If you have a bad year the temptation is to set aside a smaller amount for the planting so that you have sufficient for today. This is percentage farming. In this way however each year will get less unless you are lucky. A wise farmer will keep the same amount to sow each year, regardless of the harvest as that is how much will fill the field. Maybe even set aside more, and plan to start a second field!

It is foolish to give more than you have, and therefore starve as a result. 2 Corinthians 8:12 says this: Give of what you have, not what you don’t have. However, if we hold back in our giving we are hindering the future. Giving is not about today but tomorrow. Spiritually, what we reap is treasure in Heaven, and that we are not there today. Pray about your giving, and ask God to put in you an investors heart, instead of a consumers heart. Be like a farmer and pray for a good harvest so that you have more to give, not more to keep.