October 14 | 2 Corinthians 9:11

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous, which will bring about through us thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11)

One of my favorite Christmas movies, A Christmas Carol, introduces Scrooge, a wealthy miser who does everything he can to hoard his wealth. No amount of cajoling changes his mind. After all, he figures, he worked hard to earn everything he has.

God must change our hearts to understand how His Kingdom works. Take whatever the world teaches you and reverse it. It doesn’t make sense to our natural thinking but it makes perfect sense to God. He designed His Kingdom to be countercultural.

God doesn’t always give you blessing the way you bless Him. You may give money and He may give you spiritual blessing. You may give your time to someone and God may give you money. You never know how He will bless you.

God is your source of blessing and He gives you what you need. Why not be generous out of His storehouse? It’s been said often, “You can’t out give God.” Try the experiment and see how it works out. Jesus promised you are more important to God than sparrows.

When you give to the Lord He multiplies your gift for whatever He wants to do with it. There’s so much blessing on both sides of your gift there is no reason not to be generous.

Action Step: Listen to the Holy Spirit and give lavishly. Giving that makes no sense in the world pleases God’s heart and increases the effectiveness and range of your gift.

Lord Jesus, thank you for Your gift of grace and salvation. Change my thinking and perspective to be generous to others. Continue to bless me so I can bless others. Increase the effectiveness of my offering for the glory of Your Kingdom.