Day 8: The God Who Gives Generously
Bible passage: Romans 8:32; Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 9:6–11
The Giver
Today is Friday 5th of April 2019. Welcome to Day 8 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Yesterday we looked at God’s love. Today we look at how that love behaves. It gives.
Paul reasons from the greatest gift to all the lesser ones. God did not spare even His own Son, but gave Him up for us all. Then Paul asks, “won’t he also give us everything else?” Romans 8:32 (NLT)
The Generous God
He Has Already Given the Most
If a friend had given you their house, you would not lie awake wondering whether they would lend you a cup of sugar. God has already given what was most precious to Him. Every other need we have is small beside that. We never have to wonder whether He is willing.
He Supplies Our Needs
Paul wrote to the Philippians from prison, after they had sent him a gift they could hardly afford. He assured them that the same God who took care of him would supply all their needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
The promise is about what we need, which is not always the same as what we want. And it is measured by God’s riches, which do not run short.
Becoming Like Him
Sowing and Reaping
Because God is generous, His people are meant to be generous. Paul uses a picture from farming. A farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop, and the one who plants generously will get a generous crop (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Cheerful, Not Pressured
Paul is careful about how we give. Each of us must decide in our own heart how much to give. We are not to give reluctantly or under pressure, because God loves a person who gives cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).
God is not after our money. He is after our hearts. A gift wrung out of someone by guilt does not please Him.
Enough to Share
Paul then makes a promise. God will generously provide all we need, so that we will always have everything we need and plenty left over to share with others (2 Corinthians 9:8). He says that we will be enriched in every way so that we can always be generous (2 Corinthians 9:11).
We are blessed so that we can pass it on. And when our giving reaches people in need, they thank God.
Three Steps for Today
Give thanks. Thank God that He spared nothing, not even His own Son, to meet your deepest need.
Ask. Bring your needs to Him today. Be specific, and trust Him to supply them.
Take a step. Ask God what your next step in generosity is. It might be money, time, a meal or a welcome. Decide in your heart, and do it gladly.
Prayer for Today:
Generous Father, thank You for giving Your own Son for me. If You did that, I know that You will not hold back anything I truly need. I bring my needs to You today, and I trust You to supply them. Grow a generous heart in me. Show me my next step, and help me to give freely and cheerfully, as You have given to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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