Sowing generously

It seems most of the news we hear today is money-related. Newspapers, magazines, television and radio are all broadcasting messages about the economic recession, the struggling real estate market, investments gone sour and stocks going down.

The Bible talks about money quite frequently as well; there is nothing new under the sun. The words being used may have changed, but the spiritual principles are still the same. The Bible doesn't talk so much in terms of spending and earning, but in terms of sowing and reaping. The apostle Paul wrote about it in his second letter to the Corinthians. I like to highlight a nugget from his writing on this blog: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6).

What an awesome and simple principle for a worry-free life! Within the context Paul is speaking about money, but this principle can be applied to all facets of life. If we never give other people a smile, it is very unlikely that others will give a smile to us. If we are always critical, others will be critical towards us. The principle that Paul is teaching here is based on the words of Jesus: For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38b). That goes for the way we love, judge, forgive, and share.

Paul writes 'remember this' as if wanting to say 'Make sure you realize what you're doing'. Surely, God promises in his Word to take care of his children, and He will. That is a promise, a truth that will never change. There are, however, some basic and simple principles that we should learn and practice while growing into spiritual maturity. Let's say you always faithfully give an offering in church, but it is no bigger than the amount you spend on a magazine and a coffee at Starbucks. Then, the measure you use for God is the same as the measure you use for your own leisure... Maybe I am taking that a bit far, but I am trying to give an example. Let me re-phrase: we should begin to sow according to the harvest we are expecting. If we need tender loving care, we must give tender loving care. If we need a hug, we must give a hug. If we need finances, we must give finances... and remember: if we sow sparingly, we will reap sparingly.

Sowing sparingly (sparing, thrifty, economical, with frugality, moderation, scantiness, reserve, forbearance, sparsely) will NOT produce an abundant harvest. These are not my words, but the Bible says it. Although it is not an easy lesson to learn, it is one that will generate a breakthrough in our lives once we understand the principle behind it. When we start to give joyfully, freely and abundantly we will see that God will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it (Malachi 3:10). That is a biblical principle that will not be effected by the world's economy. Never! The Bible calls for good stewardship and is against waste (Jesus even ordered for the crumbs to be picked up after the supernatural feeding of the thousands), but the Bible does not call for thriftiness when it comes to giving!

Is there an area where you need to change the way you sow your seeds?

Lesson from king David:
No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing (2 Samuel 24:24)