2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NRSV)

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written,

"He scatters abroad, he gives 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 for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.

- Luke 6:38 (KJV)

ONE night in my quiet time, I was reading 2 Corinthians 9 and felt there was a message there for me to approach my giving to God a little differently. I had been putting my expenses first and my giving to God last. Now I thought that I would do as the verse says, "Give and God will give to you." I felt that if I gave to God first and then gave to others, the measure I used would be the measure God would use in giving back to me. I sensed that as God has looked after me, it was up to me to help look after God's work.

Since then, I have discovered that by giving my offering to God before I put money anywhere else, I manage with greater ease. After setting money aside for living expenses I have very little left, but it always seems to last until the next week. Even though the amount I start with has not changed, my thinking and acting have.

Prayer: Loving God, move us always to have concern for others and to keep foremost our commitment to your work. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

We give to God in gratitude for what God has given to us.

PRAYER FOCUS:

For right priorities in use of money

By Jeanne Churchill (Tasmania, Australia)