Give What You Get

 

Give What You Get     BY RICK WARREN

FROM CONNECTING WITH GOD: THE LORD'S PRAYER

“God, who supplies seed for the sower and bread to eat, will also supply you with all the seed you need and will make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity. He will always make you rich enough to be generous at all times, so that many will thank God for your gifts which they receive from us. For this service you perform not only meets the needs of God’s people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God."    2 Corinthians 9:10-12 

What God gives to you, he wants to give through you.

God is looking for people he can use. He looks around and asks, “Will you be a cup, or will you be a straw?” If you’re a cup, you just get filled up, and that’s it. But another kind of person says, “God, I’ll be a straw, and you can channel your blessing through me to other people.” That’s the kind of person God wants to bless.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, “God, who supplies seed for the sower and bread to eat, will also supply you with all the seed you need and will make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity. He will always make you rich enough to be generous at all times."

This promise is built on your willingness to share what he supplies to you. Are you willing to pass on God’s blessing to others?

You may say, “Wait a minute! I’m not rich enough to be generous.” Oh, yes, you are! No matter how much or how little you have, you can be generous with it.

There’s a story in the Bible about a woman who only had two pennies, yet she gave them away. The idea that “I don’t have enough to give” is a myth. You can always give something. 

The Bible says, “For this service you perform not only meets the needs of God’s people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12).

When you’re going through a tough time, you still can say, “God, I don’t have much, but I’m willing to share. I only have a little food, but I’m willing to invite somebody over for dinner.”

When you do this, God promises three things. First, you will grow spiritually. Second, he will use you to meet other people’s needs. And, third, you will bring him glory.

When you give away what you have, God will open the door of blessing in your life in ways you can’t imagine.