Monday February 26, 2024

Today is Monday, February 26 and we are learning what the Bible says about generosity.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and focus myself on God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I long to experience your abiding presence. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, enable me to hear the message you have for me today. Speak to my heart and mind in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

God is a generous, gracious and loving God, I praise him with the words of Psalm 112.

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Psalm 112:4-5

Pause and Pray

God is generous. God is extravagantly generous with his people. He liberally pours out grace, he abundantly provides love, he amply offers forgiveness. God extravagantly pours out blessings, even when we don’t deserve it. God is lavishly generous with me, and in turn, God wants me to be lavishly generous with others. God has given me seeds to sow. In the following scripture from Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul teaches me how to sow what I have been given. He provides the followers of Jesus Christ with some “sowing” lessons.

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. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Generosity is the Christian way and the Methodist way. I am on a journey of sanctifying grace, where I continually surrender myself to God and through grace God is in the process of making me better. Day by day, as I cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit, God improves me. Generous giving is an important part of holy living. I am on a journey of generosity. That means I am more generous today than I was a year ago and I will be more generous next year than I am today. I have been given seeds to sow into God’s kingdom. I have time, talents and treasure. I have money, gifts, resources, skills and abilities. God wants me to sow bountifully into the lives of others and into his kingdom.

Ask: What seeds do I have to sow? Am I sowing sparingly or am I sowing generously?

Pause and Pray

Lord, teach me to sow generously. I want to give cheerfully from my heart without reluctance or concern. Thank you for the abundant blessings and generous gifts you have given me. Thank you for supplying me with good seed to sow into your kingdom and into the lives of others. Forgive me for the times I have sown sparingly. Grow the grace of generosity in me. I read the words from 2 Corinthians again and listen for the message you have for me.

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. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

If I sow sparingly, I will reap sparingly. If I sow generously, I will reap generously. This is not a difficult mathematical equation. It is the law of equal proportions. The more I put in, the more I get out. That is easy. I will reap what I sow. I am here on this earth for a relatively short period of time and I have a window of opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. So I need to sow seeds. Invest time into relationships. Invest love into the people around me. Invest money in the work of God and the church. Share my resources. Sow bountifully. Give myself fully.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, show me what I have been given. Reveal the seeds you have placed in my storehouse and shine your light on the good gifts you want me to invest and share. Teach me what it means to sow generously and give me opportunities to lavishly love others in your name. Amen.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38

I leave this time of prayer blessed by a generous God, I go to generously sow seeds and lavishly love others in the name of Jesus.

Amen