Tag Archives: not reluctantly or under compulsion

God Loves A Cheerful Giver

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The Compassionate Life - Day 264 - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - God Loves A Cheerful Giver - Growing As Disciples

The Compassionate Life – Day 264 – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – God Loves A Cheerful Giver – Growing As Disciples

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.              2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV)

Remember This

I have something that I want you to remember. I have something that I want you to keep in the forefront of your mind. I want you to remember something that will guide the conduct of your life. What do you want me to remember? Remember this, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly.”  Many times, I have heard you say that you want to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Many times, I have heard you say that you want to be a bold and bright witness in the world. May times, I have heard you say that you wanted to store up treasure in heaven. Am I correct? Have I heard you say these things repeatedly? Yes, you have heard me correctly. I have said these words repeatedly. Well, those are very good desires that you have in you. How will these things be accomplished through your life? I will be a cheerful giver. I will not be tight fisted with all that you have given to me. You have richly blessed my life so I can be a blessing to others. You have given me talents and resources that you want me to share with others. You have even freed up my schedule and given me time to serve others. So, I will open handedly give my time, talent, and resources to others. That will be very good. What else will you do? I will leave my comfort zone. I will follow you to where you lead me so I can do whatever you ask of me. I will look for ways that I can join you in the work you are doing in the world. I will go out and work in your harvest field so that I can one day reap and share in a rich harvest with you. What will be your attitude? How will you feel about joining me in my harvest field? Will you be reluctant? Will you be hesitant? Will you be under some sort of compulsion? No, not at all. It will be my joy to serve you. I will be happy to follow your example. It is my desire to pattern my life after yours. I want to live like you lived. I want to give like you gave. I want to serve like you served. Why is that? You love me. I love you. There is nothing I would rather do than sow and reap a rich harvest for you, as I bring glory to your name. All that I have, all that I am, all that I hope to be is at your service. That is very good. Use me now. That I will do. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, thank you for helping me to be a cheerful giver. Help me to generously give my time, talent, and resources to others. Help me to both sow and reap generously. Help me to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question…  How has the Lord led you to give your time, talent, and resources to others?

Living It Out…  Make it your ongoing practice to sow generously so that you will also be able to reap generously.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will help you to both sow and reap generously.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God has used you to sow and reap generously.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you sow generously so you can also reap generously.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Devotional Study Guide click here

The Compassionate Life – Day 264 – 2 Corinthians 9-6-7 – God Loves A Cheerful Giver – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                                                        Copying not permitted                                                                                    http://www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Whoever Sows Generously Will Also Reap Generously

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Wisdom - 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 - Whoever Sows Generously Will Also Reap Generously - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 – Whoever Sows Generously Will Also Reap Generously – Growing As Disciples

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”                                               2 Corinthians 9:6-9 (NIV)

 Receive From Me

What are you doing? I’m planting. What are you planting? I’m planting your word in my life. You are? I thought I did the planting. Well, you do. I probably meant that I am here with you in your word so that I can allow you to plant it in my life. You could choose to be a thousand different places right now. Yes, I could. But, you’re not. Nope. Why not? You have called and drawn me to this place. There is no place that I would rather be than right here, right now, with you. I’m very pleased to hear that. Why do you think that is? It certainly isn’t because of me. I have a hard time sitting still for five minutes. It’s a miracle really that you have placed this desire within me to be with you in your word. Yes, it is.

What is happening to you as my word is being richly planted in you? You are changing me. It’s not something that happens over night, but little by little you are molding and shaping my life with your word. I’m beginning to think your thoughts and feel your feelings.   Yes, you are. You have given me new desires. I want what you want. It is now my delight to serve you.

Tell me about your new desires. It is my desire to help others grow closer to you. I want to encourage them to meet with you so that they can feast on your word and hear all that you want to say to them. So, you’re sharing my word with others? Yes, I am. In this process of you digging into my word and sharing it with others, what is happening to you? I am being blessed even more. How so? You are overflowing my life with your goodness. I’m growing and changing even more. As I give to others I am receiving as much and even more back in return. You are bearing fruit in my life and in your kingdom. I feel like a well-watered tree planted next to a stream. You are making me vibrant, joyful, and fruitful for you. The weariness that I once felt so frequently is gone. I have a new excitement that I have never felt before. I look forward to walking with you and serving others every day. It is my delight to bear fruit for you. Yes, I can see that. You are very right about something. What’s that? You have and are experiencing a miracle. I am using you to bear fruit for me. As you give to others, you will continue to receive even more from me.

Lord, you have blessed my life so I am able to cheerfully and generously give to others. Help me to say yes to you and to the needs of others. Protect me from being stingy. Help me to decide in my heart to give and sow bountifully. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Wisdom – 2 Corinthians 9-6-9 – Whoever Sows Generously Will Also Reap Generously – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                                                                    Copying not permitted                                                                    www.GrowingAsDisciples.com