Day 5: What The Bible Says About Generosity

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9; John 12:23-26

If you’re like me, seeing corn starting to appear on the streets is one of the best things to happen in recent times with how unpredictable this year has turned out to be, I think it’s really awesome that we could count on corn to arrive right on time, and it sure did!

Maybe what’s more amazing is that although we knew so little of what was ahead of us this year, we actually set the stage for this ‘future’ of having corn by what we did with last year’s corn.

I believe nothing else accurately captures the magic of potential being locked in what is in my hand right now, like the concept of seeds. I believe this is why the Bible often speaks of generosity using the picture of seeds. It is very instructional to realize that the Bible doesn’t paint generosity as merely throwing resources at the wind, but as a planting of seeds that leads to a harvest of more than we can ever imagine.

Our reading today gives us some very key insight that can empower us in this journey of generosity.

Our generosity starts with the generosity of a good God.
”For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous…”
…” 2 Cor 9:10-11 (NLT)
“…because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” 2 Cor 9:15 (NLT)

In coming around a conversation of generosity, it is important to remember that we can only talk about opening our hands to give because God Himself, first of all, has opened His hands to us. Our God is such a good God! Check out what David says in 1 Chronicles 29:14,
“ Everything comes from you; all we’re doing is giving back what we’ve been given from your generous hand…” 1 Chron 29:14 (MSG)

Would you take a moment today to reflect on God’s goodness to you? Would you also rest in knowing that God has promised to never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5-6); and so you never have to be afraid of lack or scarcity?

The blessing of tomorrow’s harvest is in my hands today.
2 Cor 9:10 is such a beautiful statement of how God’s provision works:
“… He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food…” 2 Cor 9:10 (NKJV)

Think about it!
God isn’t the pseudo good guy who blesses you with an ‘eat-for-tomorrow-we-die’ type of blessing. He is such an amazing Father that within all He blesses us with today, He locks in an even larger abundance for tomorrow.

You may not be where you want to be, or have all you want to have. Don’t ever look at what you have in your hands at any given time and call it little! When God blesses, He blesses with both bread to be enjoyed today and a seed for tomorrow. You have a whole harvest locked in your hands right now!

Would you let this thought birth a fresh sense of gratitude, courage and stewardship? All that you have in your hands – your resources, opportunities, relationships and so on; isn’t just for your sustenance today. There’s such a harvest of abundance locked in what you hold right here and now!

The only way to unlock the potential within a seed is to let it go!

Imagine you met a farmer storing corn seeds inside old tins and doing his best to hide them. You ask what he’s doing and he says he’s trying to store a rare type of maize that he just discovered. Why don’t you plant it? You ask. He replies, “So I don’t lose it.”

“Err, what?”
I think there’s a tendency in us to be just like this farmer. The natural human inclination is to protect, guard, keep and maintain all that we have. The thought of letting go fills us with a lot of fear and anxiety. “What if I end up with nothing?”

Well, you will if you don’t plant the seed in your hand!

This is just what Jesus tried to teach His disciples in John 12:24:

“…unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it produces much grain.” John 12:24 (NKJV)

The truth is, a seed is pointless as long as it stays safe in your hand. You can guard it with your life, protect it and all that. But it’s potential for harvest is only unlocked when you let it go in planting.

Would you make a commitment to build a life constantly seeking to sow your ‘precious seeds’ like Psalm 126:6 describes?

“He who goes forth bearing seed and weeping [at needing his precious supply of grain for sowing] shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6 (AMPC)

What a promise! Our generosity is not merely throwing away all that is dear to us. There’s a harvest doubtlessly locked in every seed of generosity I put in my ground today!

Tai Farai.
Career/Business People’s Forum Connect Lead