The Generous Gift of Generosity

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. 2 Cor. 10-11, The Message.

While this week's devotions haven't all been about making great friendships, they are related to that effort. What we think about ourselves, how we live with Christ, and how we live Christ are a part of the process. But one of the most precious gifts God has placed in our friend-making tool box is the gift of generosity.

I've given plenty of gifts to my friends and I've received even more. I can't count the times or the ways in which I've given or received. They're too many. It's because giving in this way is something that comes from deep within us. It is a joy to give to those we love and care about. And rarely to do we even think about the cost or the sacrifice, most of the time we just see a need and we give!

That's because when we give like this we become more like God!

God is generous, in fact extravagantly generous, giving more and more and more than what we need or what we ask for, or what we expect. Paul told the church at Corinth that the reason God gives in such ways is so that we can give too.

Isn't that the way God works in all areas?

God loves so that we can love.
God teaches so that we can teach.
God forgives so that we can forgive.
God cares so that we can care.
God gives so that we can give.

Yes, we are blessed to be receivers of all that God blesses us with, but we are not to leave it at that. Rather we are channels through which God works, loves, forgives, gives. It's not a place of privilege but a place of responsibility; humility rather than honor.

God is using us, clay pots, for divine purposes, so that as we are filled, we pour out on those around us so that we all receive the best from God!

It's called the Generous Gift of Generosity!

Peace ><>
pc