Day 3 - Generosity is Righteous?

2 Corinthians 9:6-12

PAUSE – 

As we prepare for prayer, let’s pause to clear our hearts and minds to invite God’s Spirit to guide us with the words of 

Psalm 63:1   

      You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;

      I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,

      In a dry and parched land where there is no water…

In a divided and broken world, we long for a fresh flow of God’s living water – the Holy Spirit

REJOICE in God’s goodness with the words Psalm 34:1-3

         I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

         I will glory in the Lord; 

         Let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 

         Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.

Isn’t the grace of God amazing? Have you been counting your blessings yet today?  I can’t get through the chorus of The Goodness of God by Jenn Johnson without being moved as I reflect on the times God, in his grace, has been faithful – even when I was faithless.

         All my life You have been faithful - All my life you have been so, so good.

         With every breath that I am able – Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.

         (You may want to listen to this song and worship it by watching the video below…)

REFLECT – 

As we add a couple more verses to the reading today take your time to soak in the Word.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their 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 enriched 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 9:6-12

In these verses, Paul continues the thought from verse 9 where he quotes Psalm 112:9 which directly ties generosity with righteousness. This is not just a passing act of righteousness but enduring righteousness.  Think for a moment about generosity as it pertains to gifts that have nothing to do with money. Think of being generous with your time, your energy, your speech, or with lending a listening ear…. Take a few seconds to reflect on what this kind of righteousness might look like in your day.

Reread and Reflect – What word or phrase stands out to you in the bold print? 

He who supplies jumped off the page to me.  The supplier of the seeds is the only truly righteous one, and every good and perfect gift (James 1:7) comes from Him. I am only generous with what He has already provided for me… Pause and reflect 30 seconds on the word or phrase that stood out to you, and who supplies all good gifts.

ASK – 

Who do you know that needs to learn or be reminded that God is a faithful and generous supplier of all that we need.  Pray for a Holy Spirit intervention into the lives of the lost, and for boldness in proclaiming this Good News…

YIELD – 

Open your hands in release again. What gifts do you have that you are hoarding for yourself or your own people? What is the Lord calling you to share with someone else who has a need?