Learn to Excel at Giving
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. As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness
endures forever.”
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply
and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your
righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in
every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the
ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but
is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval
of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that
comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity
of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you
and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Corinthians 9:6–15)
In The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn shares the story of Scott
Lewis, owner of Scott Machinery, who attended a conference
where Bill Bright challenged people to give one million dollars to
help fulfill the Great Commission. This amount was laughable to
Scott—far beyond anything he could imagine, since his machinery
business was generating an income of under $50,000 a year.
Bill asked, “How much did you give last year?” Scott felt good
about his answer: “We gave $17,000, about 35 percent of our income.”
Without blinking an eye, Bill responded, “Over the next
year, why don’t you make a goal of giving $50,000?”
Scott thought Bill hadn’t understood. Fifty thousand dollars was
more than he’d made all year! But Scott and his wife decided to trust
God with Bill’s challenge, asking Him to do the impossible. God
provided in amazing ways. Because of a miraculous December 31
provision, the Lewises gave the $50,000. The next year they set a
goal of giving $100,000. Again, God provided.
Scott wrote Alcorn a note saying that they passed the one
million-dollar giving mark in 2001. The best part is they aren’t
stopping. That’s what it means to excel at giving.
Paul declares in this passage, “You will be enriched in every
way to be generous in every way” (vs. 11). The story of the Lewis
family is a good example of this spiritual principle. Start with what
you have and ask the Lord to bless it for the purpose of making you
more generous. Take Him up on His offer. Watch and see what He
does as you stretch yourself to give beyond your means.
Then note the result of this—to produce thanksgiving to God.
He receives the praise and thanks because it is obvious to all that
this abundance comes from His hand. We don’t give to be recognized;
we give so that God is recognized. He receives the glory for
the wonder of His inexpressible gift to us!
Prayer Points
• Ask the Lord for a giving goal that is beyond your ability, but
not His.
• Thank the Lord for His inexpressible gift!
My Prayer
Lord, You are the majestic Giver of all that I have. I bow before You
in gratitude for Your amazing gifts. Will You help me to pass along
Your blessings to others? Show me how to give in a way that brings
fresh thanksgiving to You. Stretch my giving to look more like the
giving of my Lord.
Excerpted from “The Giving Church” by Dave Butts, and is used by permission of PrayerShop Publishing.