"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." (2 Corinthians 9:6).

The Christian life is a journey from selfishness toward generosity. In fact, this is inevitable because, as we grow in Jesus and understand the amazing generosity of God toward us, we are compelled to emulate Him and follow Him in a life of generosity. To be like Jesus is to be generous. To be like Jesus is to release the gravitational pull of stuff and money by becoming experts at sharing what we have with others. 

When reading the Gospels, if you pay attention, you'll realize that Jesus talked more about money and possessions than He did about any other single subject. There is a good reason for this. The power of money and possessions can only be overcome by generosity. I gain freedom from the gravitational pull of money and possessions by generously sharing what I have with God and others. 

If we want less of us and more of Him in our lives, it includes less selfishness with our possessions and more generosity. To know Him is to follow Him. When Jesus says that we cannot serve God and money, he acknowledges the power that money can exert over our lives. It can be, and often is, a rival God. All rival Gods to Jesus threaten our followership to Him. 

Paul talks about the issue of generosity in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15: 

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Therefore, 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 can 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 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 not only supplies 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!

This is an amazingly rich passage, which can be summed up in the first sentence. "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." Therefore, our generosity toward God and His people results in His generosity toward us.

But we say, if I am generous, I may not have enough! To which Paul replies: "God can 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.'" 

In fact, the blessings that come from God through our generosity go beyond having what we need financially. Paul goes on to say, "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." Our generosity results in a harvest of righteousness. 

There is an intrinsic connection between our generosity and the quality of our spiritual lives. They are connected. Perhaps it is because selfishness is all about us, while generosity is about living like Jesus. Being self-consumed diminishes our spiritual lives, while generosity brings a harvest of righteousness. Therefore, my generosity is connected to the quality of my spiritual life and followership of Jesus.

Our generosity has a ripple effect among God's people. Again Paul. "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."

Money and possessions have a hold on our lives that is only overcome as we become generous people. We gain financial freedom when we are willing to share what we have. It is one of the great ironies of the Christian life where Jesus turns conventional wisdom on its head. Remember this: to be generous is to be like God. And our generosity results in God's generosity to us. And finally, our generosity has an impact on our whole spiritual life. Generosity brings a deeper spiritual life. 

My father taught me by example what a life of generosity looked like, and I will be forever thankful. I am not generous because God demands it. He never forces us but instead wants us to give what we desire in our hearts because He loves a cheerful giver. I am generous because God has been so amazingly generous to me. 

He forgave me and rescued me. He redeemed me, adopted me, and gave me an eternal purpose. He invites me to His table every day, gives me true life, and blesses me in ways that are amazing and undeserved. He is indescribably generous, and I simply want to emulate Him in that generosity. And He continues to provide as I share what I have. Paul desires that for each of us.

Father: Thank you for your generosity to me, including that you gave up your very life to rescue me from my sin and reconcile me to you. You emptied yourself for me. Help me become more and more like you in my own generosity to you and others. Amen.

The question for today: Is there something I can do today to become more generous to God and His people?