Scripture is clear: as we bless others in bountiful ways, we’ll be blessed in unbelievable ways!
Now let me be clear: we don’t give generously to “get back” – but God cares for us in spectacular ways, when we give life away. For “…God is able…” (2 Corinthians 9:8) Paul notes in 2 Corinthians 9:8. Did hear that church: God is able!! Specifically “…God is able to make all grace abound…” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
But there’s more. “…he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will…supply and increase your store of seed… [in fact] you will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).
But there’s more. “…he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will…supply and increase your store of seed… [in fact] you will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).
But the key is being undivided. In Mark 5, Jesus encounters a demon possessed man named Legion, which means literally: “we are many” (Mark 5:10). And with that, Jesus names the problem: “the many.” And so, Jesus exorcises “the many,” casting out the demons, thus healing the man.
In like manner we must “exorcise the many,” and be healed. Once a miserable man declared: I have “too many twos” in my life: two houses, two boats, two women, two gods. The result: I’m two people! Jesus isn’t surprised: “No one can serve two masters” He declares in Matthew 6. “…for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and…be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in)” (Matthew 6:24, The Amplified Bible) apart from God.
And so get rid of the “twos’ in your life, becoming totally devoted to Jesus, living an undivided life, given totally to the Lord. Frankly the results are remarkable, for as we live totally, generously for Jesus, generosity is showered on us, as God richly blesses our days.
John Ortberg tells of being at Azusa Pacific University during graduation week. While there, John was invited to a gathering where three students were honored for their decision to do to India to serve the poorest of the poor after graduation. Well, a few words were spoken, and then a commissioning prayer was offered, and then persons got up to leave. But then the university president interrupted. "I have one more announcement" he said. "An anonymous donor was so moved the the decision of these three students to go to India, he's given a gift to the university; actually the gift is to the students. And with that, the president turned to the three soon to be missionaries: "Susie, your student debt of $70,000 to Azusa Pacific has now been forgiven. Tom, your student dept to $105,000 to Azusa Pacific has now been forgiven. And Malcolm, your student debt of $130,000 to Azusa Pacific has now been forgiven." And with that the entire room broke into applause and tears!
John Ortberg tells of being at Azusa Pacific University during graduation week. While there, John was invited to a gathering where three students were honored for their decision to do to India to serve the poorest of the poor after graduation. Well, a few words were spoken, and then a commissioning prayer was offered, and then persons got up to leave. But then the university president interrupted. "I have one more announcement" he said. "An anonymous donor was so moved the the decision of these three students to go to India, he's given a gift to the university; actually the gift is to the students. And with that, the president turned to the three soon to be missionaries: "Susie, your student debt of $70,000 to Azusa Pacific has now been forgiven. Tom, your student dept to $105,000 to Azusa Pacific has now been forgiven. And Malcolm, your student debt of $130,000 to Azusa Pacific has now been forgiven." And with that the entire room broke into applause and tears!
That's that’s what generosity does: it breaks us into applause and tears. For there’s something startling and remarkable, when persons give in abundance, “turning inside out,” undivided -- blessing others in bountiful ways!
Bless others in bountiful ways! Don’t hold back. Rather “pour your heart out,” giving all! The amount doesn’t matter, but the sacrifice and passion does, as we give passionately, serving not God and Mammon, but God alone. Serve God alone! “Stuff” time, talent and treasure into the hands of others excelling, in “…the grace of giving… (2 Corinthians 8:7) For God is able! “…Able to make all grace abound…” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
For “…he who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food will…supply and increase your store of seed… [in fact] you will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).
Be generous on every occasion! For Jesus is right: "whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it." (Luke 17:33).
Lose your life! For the only way to find life is to give life away -- enthusiastically -- vigorously -- generously -- to the One who owns it anyhow -- God and God alone!
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