You Get Out What You Put In

2 Corinthians 9:6–15 CSB

6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 9 As it is written: He distributed freely; he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. 10 Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. 14 And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Let’s remind ourselves of the context - Paul is speaking to the Corinthian church and has just use the Macedonian church and their generosity in giving.

Paul uses Jesus as the example - 2 Corinthians 8:9 “9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”

Let’s be clear, Paul is speaking about monetarily giving to support and bless the ministry of the gospel but the principle Paul gives is applicable in many areas of life.

You will get out what you put in.

We know from gardening - if you put 2 seeds in the ground you will be lucky to get 2 plants out but if you put 100 seeds in the ground then at best you get 100 but even if you got a 50% yield it is still a fairly good amount of plants.

The more you put in the greater the opportunity to get more out.

Giving financially is the same… the more you give the more you get - now I am not saying you will necessarily get more money but you will get more blessings from God ie. joy, encouragement, peace, contentment, and yes you may very well get more money…

If you are sitting there saying, “I don’t really get anything out of Sunday school” or “I don’t get a lot out of the worship service” then maybe you need to look at what you are putting into it.

To have a relationship with anyone it requires effort and work on both parties - our relationship with Jesus is no different - He has already done everything on His side it is up to us to do our part in the relationship.

What are you putting in?

It starts with our attitude.

We have to decide what we are going to do.

Once we chose, do it but do it with the right attitude (get to versus got to).

God is able to freely and abundantly supply our needs.

The key word….NEEDS - God meets needs.

Paul also clarifies that God is ABLE - able doesn’t equal doing - God is free to choose whom, how, when and to what degree he will bless.

But why? Why does God give when He gives?

God supplies so we can focus on fulfilling the commands of God.

jhkj

We give - God supplies - Kingdom Work is done - God Blesses and the circle goes on.