Day 6 – Generosity = Overflowing Grace

2 Corinthians 9: 6-15

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.

We have been learning that generosity is grace lived out in those who have encountered the grace of our Lord! It is a reflection of a life lived by faith in the one who provides all good gifts. 

Grace is a gift that when received and released gives birth to wonderful acts of love toward others. 

It is an indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:13).

REFLECT – 

Today we will read our entire text from this week 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 

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. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.  Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Have you heard the story about Hattie May Wiatt and her 57 cents?

Hattie May Wiatt lived near a church where the Sunday School was very crowded and didn’t have room for all the children living around the church.  The pastor, Rev. Russell H. Conwell, told Hattie that one day they would have buildings big enough to accommodate anyone and everyone who wanted to attend Sunday School at the church.  Not long after this young Hattie became sick and died.  When Pastor Conwell was asked to officiate the funeral, Hattie’s mother presented little Hattie’s purse which held the pennies she had been saving to help build the new building.  It contained 57cents which was quite a bit for a little girl to save in 1886.  Pastor Conwell shared this story with the congregation and sold Hattie’s pennies to various members bringing in a total of approximately $250 which was a great start for the new building in that economy.  Out of this, they also had 57 original pennies returned with which they formed the Wiatt Mite Society dedicated to making Hattie’s 57 cents grow.  The original $250 was used to purchase a house.  The first classes of Temple College, later Temple University, were held in that house after it was purchased by Temple Baptist church with the fruit of Hattie’s 57 cents. 

Obviously, Hattie’s generosity grew into an incredible gift which resulted in much thanksgiving to God. 

REREAD AND REFLECT on the text again – If possible, read it aloud and pay attention to any word or phrase which stands out to you.  What is the Lord impressing on your heart today? 

ASK –

What great need stirs your heart toward generosity? Ask the Lord to stir gifts of grace to meet this need or needs.  Pray for those who are forgotten, or marginalized, or without a voice today. Ask the Lord to reveal a first step toward generous service which you could begin. 

YIELD –

Open your hands palms up and offer to Jesus whatever you feel impressed to offer today.  Perhaps it is just a fresh openness to live more generously.  Perhaps it is a specific seed gift for a great need. Perhaps it is surrendering a hardness in your heart which needs to be softened. 

I’m reflecting on the hymn that was an anthem for my Alma Mater – “Wonderful Grace of Jesus.”

      Wonderful Grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin, 

      How shall my tongue describe it, Where shall its praise begin?

      Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free; 

      O the wonderful Grace of Jesus reaches me!