Greed and generosity are funny things. Here is why. When we are convinced that we need more, there is never any end to the more, so experiencing satisfaction with what we have never comes. On the flip side, when we practice a life of generosity and give freely to God and others, we never miss what we give. That is a very strange paradox.

That paradox plays out in our relationship with God as well. The more we give to God, the more He gives to us and one cannot out-give God. The more we keep to ourselves, the less He gives so we end up worse off for hoarding our stuff in our attempt to get ahead. Let's look at what Paul says about this in 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. Watch for the paradoxes here.

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.

Our fear around giving is that we will not have enough. Yet the first thing that Paul tells us is that whoever sows generously will also reap generously. In fact, don’t forget who God is, says Paul because “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.” Now this is an amazing statement because he blesses us abundantly at all times. He is talking about more than money. We want and need His blessings in all kinds of ways. That is what He promises to those who are generous with Him.

This is why Paul says the very one who can supply our physical needs can also enlarge the harvest of our righteousness, the results of our ministry for Him. We will be enriched in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion! Now that is a life result I want and I am sure you do as well.

Here is the paradox. Our financial generosity not only does not leave us poorer but it makes us richer in all kinds of ways. That, in turn, multiplies the effect of our ministry for Him. What we are afraid to lose ends up in gaining what we could not gain except by generosity to Him. It is an example of the amazing grace and generosity of God to us. 

Some of us purchase lottery tickets hoping to win the big prize. We can have the big prize every day in greater ways than any lottery check as we live with generosity to our Savior.

Father, I am amazed at your generosity to me. Help me to be more generous with you and in the process experience even more of your generosity that can result in greater kingdom impact. Amen.