Enriched to be generous to others

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” (2 Cor. 9:11 ESV)

The Christmas party

When I was a young Youth For Christ director in our county, I often spoke at youth groups and churches around our community. Money was tight in those days and sometimes they would give me a small offering which I was glad to get. Just before Christmas one year, a local church invited me to speak at their evening service which included a Christmas party afterwards. They asked me to bring my wife and children, which I did. Because it was the Christmas season I decided to speak on the subject of giving with the title of my message, “Why you should give generously.” I remember how enthusiastically they responded when I passionately drove home my points about “how much better it is to give than to receive!” They cheered loudly when I proclaimed passionately, “You must give generously because God loves a cheerful giver!” There were so many “amens” and “hallelujahs” that I concluded I must be giving the best message I’d ever delivered. After I was finished with my message the pastor announced that we were all to go to the church basement for the Christmas party. He then asked us to wait until everyone else had gone down first and we were to go downstairs last with him. We then walked downstairs and when we entered the room, everyone yelled “Surprise!” And the pastor told us that they had planned a huge Christmas surprise party for me and my family. In the corner of the room was a decorated Christmas tree and all around it were boxes and boxes of presents the church members had gotten for us. We were shocked by all this. The entire church watched and applauded as we opened the mountain of gifts. We were completely  overwhelmed by their outpouring of love and generosity. And when I remembered the message about giving that I had delivered earlier that evening, I was very embarrassed. But, the truth is, that group of people obviously loved giving to a young youth worker and his family. And God has most assuredly blessed them for it. That evening of so many years ago remains to this day, a wonderful memory and powerful personal example of how God pours out the kind of blessing which is “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over!” (Luke 6:38). You see examples in scripture of early Christians sharing this same kind of love with each other.

They gave to those who had need with glad and sincere hearts

“They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts…” (Acts 2:45-46 NIV)

Therefore,,,

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16 ESV)

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” (Prov. 11:25 ESV)