2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, For God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in Thanksgiving to God.

– 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Devotion

Here Paul encourages the Corinthians and us to give generously of the good gifts that God has blessed them/us with. Paul states that our giving should be cheerful and Spirit-led. He excludes two methods of giving. The first is “reluctantly,” that is, very literally, sorrowfully. The second method he excludes is “under compulsion,” that is, giving as simply an act of duty and not from an impulse of delight. When we give cheerfully and Spirit-led, two things will happen. First is that giving will meet the needs of other believers. The second is that our giving will bring glory to God.

The Big Question

Do you sow sparingly? How does it affect you when you give? Does your life reflect the generosity of Christ? Do you give out of a sense of duty? Are you able to give joyfully? Is your heart motivated to give before being asked? Does your generosity cause God to receive glory?

Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.