10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 13Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, 14while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! ~ 2 Corinthians 9:10-15
It never ceases to amaze me when I see the generosity of others after hearing of an extreme need somewhere by someone. Be it a request from a nearby community after a weather disaster, a global mission's cry for help half way around the world, or even one of their own in their community during difficult times, the outpouring of love and care from others can bring one to tears. Not only are the recipients blessed by the giving, but so are those that have done the giving. There is no way to really describe the feeling one gets when they see the reaction of those whose needs are filled. It fills one with an overwhelming joy that they were able to help in some small way to brighten the life of someone else, but even this seems to be a lame description for the actual feelings experienced by the giver.
God saw His creation falling away from Him generation after generation, with only a faithful few keeping the faith alive. He finally gave the ultimate gift of His one and only Son to redeem us to Him. The pain God had to endure as He watched His Son die on the cross alone had to be excruciating, yet the joy that has come from this selfless act of love has been multiplied exponentially! Not only did His Son remain faithful - even through death - but so many of God's children have been reconciled to Him through Jesus' ultimate sacrifice! Love isn't love until it is given away, which is what God has done and continues to offer us every day.
Are you ready to give in order to receive? It isn't difficult. Let God's Holy Spirit guide you and you will feel the amazing joy and love return to you multiplied many times over as you continue to give in His name.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,Guide me in the way you wish me to share Your love with others so that the blessings You have given me may be multiplied many times over. Thank you for the love and joy I experience as I do Your will in all things, as they bless me more than I can relate in words. Amen.
~ Wendy Miller
