God’s providential care

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

God wants the ground of our lives to be fertile and fruitful. We should give thanks for the areas of our lives in which we have worked with God and we try to recognise those places we have left lie fallow.

We can think of God as a cheerful giver, taking real pleasure in us as we receive the gifts that God offers to us. We should rejoice with God, taking time to be thankful and allowing gratitude to shape us and to make us more generous.

A missionary in Africa was preaching his first sermon in a mission church. When time came for the offering, the people danced their offerings forward. They danced and sang praise to God as they brought their offerings to the altar. For they were “coming before God's presence with singing”.

After the service, the missionary asked the people, "Why do you dance and sing when you bring your offering forward on Sunday morning?" They answered, "How could we not dance? We are so grateful to God for what He has done for us in sending Jesus Christ to save us. Therefore, we have to dance and sing our thanksgiving. And besides, it says in the Bible, God loves a cheerful giver."

I recently read that there are three kinds of givers -- the flint, the sponge and the honeycomb. To get anything out of a flint you must hammer it. And then you get only chips and sparks. To get water out of a sponge you must squeeze it, and the more you use pressure, the more you will get. But the honeycomb just overflows with its own sweetness. Which kind of giver are you?

O Lord,

you graciously pour out your blessings on us.

Your gifts surround us.

Despite our abundance,

help us see the widow’s gift,

for we long to give as she did,

gladly giving all she had.

All we have

is a gift from your hand.

Help us loosen our hands,

giving to work of this church on your behalf,

for in giving freely to you,

we gain the opportunity

to live abundant lives!