Sowing and Reaping
Notes
Transcript
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Introduction
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Thanksgiving.
Society has become very selfish (it’s all about ME).
We need reminding that generosity is a discipline and an attitude that brings glory to God—and blessings to others.
Do you want to be a blessing?
Let’s be reminded of God’s principles for living:
Text
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Transition
Point 1: You Reap what You Sow
It is an agricultural truism that, other things being equal, the size of the harvest will be directly proportional to the amount of seed sown.
When a generous believer gives by faith and trust in God, with a desire to produce the greatest possible blessing, that person will receive that kind of a harvest of blessing.
Motivation: gives by faith and trust in God, with a desire to produce the greatest possible blessing.
Principle: God gives a return on the amount one invests with Him. Invest a little, receive a little.
Jesus said:
38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Point 2: God Provides Opportunities to Give Generously
Backstory: The church in Jerusalem was suffering—and the Apostle Paul was raising financial support to help the Jerusalem congregation.
The church in Corinth at first enthusiastically agreed—but later become reluctant (in a sense of giving grudgingly—rooted in greed, selfishness, and pride).
The Corinthians were drifting toward a wrong attitude that could adversely impact the church and its reputation.
The church in Corinth needed to be reminded that the hardship in Jerusalem was an opportunity for them to join with God’s purpose of blessing.
Examples: A boys lunch becomes a banquet for the whole community; Barnabas sold his possessions to help the poor—which intern encouraged others to be generous.
Point 3: Giving Cheerfully Makes God Smile
God wants the believer to be generous—to be a blessing to others.
God reminds the believer that generosity will not go unnoticed.
The gift given reluctantly, grudgingly—is a gift not worth giving. (think about receiving something from someone who really does not what to give—what would you think?)
So, prayerfully decide what God wants you to do—and do it (with the right attitude).
When you give joyfully, you bring joy to God.
God has a unique, special love for those who are happily committed to generous giving.
God responds to a heart that is enthusiastically thrilled with the pleasure of giving.
Conclusion
Remember:
You reap what you sow.
God provides opportunities to give generously.
Giving cheerfully makes God smile.
Greatest gift: God gave His Son to give you hope and a future.