The Seed That You’ve Been Given

Opening Scripture:

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 NIV

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, a wealthy, cosmopolitan trade city in the Roman world.

Corinthian culture valued status, honor, public recognition, and patronage.

Giving in Greco-Roman society was often transactional—you gave in order to receive social favor, loyalty, or prestige in return.

Paul is organizing a collection for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem (see 2 Corinthians 8–9)

This was not just a fundraiser—it was a theological act meant to:

Unite Gentile and Jewish believers

Demonstrate the fruit of the gospel among Gentiles

Reframe generosity as worship rather than obligation

Just like the Corinthians we often fall into the trap of believing that we are called to be generous as a public display of status or wealth

We don’t give to be seen, we give as an act of worship to the one true God.

Giving doesn’t always translate to whats in our wallet. You can be generous with your:

Skills

Time

Resources

What Is The Temperature Of Your Heart?

Deuteronomy 15:10 NIV

Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Deuteronomy is a covenant renewal document delivered to Israel on the plains of Moab before entering the Promised Land. Moses is not creating new laws—he is reforming the hearts of God’s people for life in covenant with Yahweh.

This verse teaches that generosity is not optional compassion—it is faithful obedience to the covenant God.

The Hebrew phrase translated “give generously” literally means: “Open your hand wide”

To open one’s hand was to publicly declare: “What I have is not mine—it belongs to the Lord.”

Often times we hold back from being generous to others because of our obligations to:

Fear

Resentment

Suspicion that generosity will lead to scarcity

Whatever God promises us He will See it through!

God will always honor our generosity when it is done with the right intentions from within our heart.

We check the temperature of our heart simply by evaluating it to the will (Word of God).

Sow In Faith — Don’t Cave To Fear

Proverbs 11:24–25 NIV

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

To the person who gives Freely they will gain even more —- Faith Moves God’s heart

Worship includes obedience and generosity — obedience requires trust and dependency upon God.

For the person who operates in fear they will be hindered in their obedience to the will of God and in their worship to God.

Fear will have you standing still and clinching your fist shut killing the very seed that God placed into your hand to sow.

As we worship God through our obedience — being generous we become even more refreshed spiritually and even emotionally.

There Is Joy In The Generosity You Give!

Acts 20:35 NIV

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Jesus taught generosity throughout His ministry and even pointed out an example of what true generosity looks like (The Widow who gave all that she had).

By actively practicing generosity we continually become humble and closer connected to God.

Paul in Acts 20 reminds us that there is joy found within our giving

Joy is only found within our giving when we stop treating it as an obligation and stat treating it as an act of worship

Joy is only found within our generosity when we shift our perspective from fear to faith

What will you give this week? What way is God calling you to be generous this week?

Next Steps

Examine The Temperature of Your Heart: Take intentional time this week to ask God to reveal any fear, resentment, or hesitation that may be shaping your generosity.

Identify The Seed God Has Placed In Your Hand: Reflect on what God has already entrusted to you.

Take One Faith-Filled Step of Generosity This Week: Don’t wait for perfect conditions—obedience often comes before clarity.

Reframe Generosity As Worship: Shift your perspective this week by practicing generosity as an act of worship rather than obligation.