THE ABUNDANT BLESSING IN GIVING (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Margret Nyegenye
For us to experience abundant blessings we are called to follow three important principles shared by Paul namely; to give generously, give willingly and give cheerfully.
To give generously was a method of giving in the Old Testament despite the law of tithing. Through giving we offer ourselves in the service of Him who loved and gave His life for us. We are to give of our time, talents and resources; and this includes our finances to further the cause of Christ’s gospel in our own locality, Nation and ends of the earth.
In the New Testament believers, however, went a step further by giving sacrificially.
They took the Lord Jesus at His word: “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38). “Freely you have received, freely give” (Mat 10:8). As a result of their obedience and trust in God’s word the church prospered through trials and tribulations and grew. It was a sign of their overwhelming compulsion to further the gospel and show forth His love, grace and mercy to others.(Further reading; Haggai 1:4-6, Proverbs 11:24-25)
Do not give grudgingly but give willingly: The matter of giving is very much between you and God: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give”: Search your heart. Do you love the Lord Jesus? Is He your Lord and Saviour? Consider what He did for you in and through His life, death and resurrection. Consider what He continues to do for you as your Intercessor with the Father and will do for you as the Author and
Finisher of your faith. Can you and I ever do enough or give enough of ourselves to Jesus! “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Tim.6:18), (Matthew 23:25, Genesis 33:11).
Give cheerfully as a witness to your love for God: C.H. Spurgeon once said: ‘Get beyond the serf-like, slavish spirit. The slave brings his pittance, which he is obliged to pay, and goes his way in misery. But the child, pleased to give its Father what it can, beholds the Father smile, and goes its way rejoicing.’ Let us all heed the words of 1 Chron 29:17: “I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.
All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you”
Do you desire to see the church prosper in our land? Do you want to be blessed, happy and content? Do you want to know and increasingly experience the love of God? Give generously for kingdom purposes.
The Very Reverend Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye,
Provost.