Generosity is a matter of the heart! It is a matter of faith and trust! Ever heard people talk about when they get to x amount of money and then they can y? I’ve heard it said about having kids and the reality is if you wait you won’t ever have them. I heard it said about giving and yet Jesus credited the poor widow for having given two copper coins valuing a mite. Who are you trusting today? What’s the state of your heart today and how is it impacting your ability to live your life generously?
Generosity is a matter of the heart, not the amount in your wallet:
‘And He sat down opposite the [temple] treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury. And many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a mite. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this poor widow put in [proportionally] more than all the contributors to the treasury. For they all contributed from their surplus, but she, from her poverty, put in all she had, all she had to live on.”’
Mark 12:41-44
Comparison is the limiting fact in so much of life, so don’t compare allow your generosity to come from the heart:
The Offering for Needy Believers
‘Now it is unnecessary for me to write to you about the offering [that is to be made] for the saints [in Jerusalem]; for I know your eagerness [to promote this cause], and I have [proudly] boasted to the people of Macedonia about it, telling them that Achaia has been prepared since last year [for this contribution], and your enthusiasm has inspired the majority of them [to respond]. Still, I am sending the brothers [on to you], so that our pride in you may not be an empty boast in this case, and so that you may be prepared, just as I told them you would be; otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of yourselves—will be humiliated for being so confident. That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you [before I come] and make arrangements in advance for this generous, previously promised gift of yours, so that it would be ready, not as something extorted [or wrung out of you], but as a [voluntary and] generous gift.
Hilarious Generosity
Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]. Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. As it is written and forever remains written, “He [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever!”
Generosity Encouraged
Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love]. You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit]. For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God’s people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God. Because of this act of ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to the gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous participation [in this gift] for them and for all [the other believers in need], and they also long for you while they pray on your behalf, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace [His undeserved favor, mercy, and blessing which is revealed] in you. Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]!’
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Generosity is a matter of trusting God:
Therefore, let’s be the dads who are good stewards and make sure that we are thoughtful and purposeful in how we give. Moreover, let’s be the dads who are cheerful givers that God think it is hilarious, not begrudging or feeling pressured or forced to give. Finally, let’s be the dads who position ourselves and posture ourselves so that God is able to work in and through us for His praise, honor, and glory in Jesus’ name.
Today’s Verse of the Day:
And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.
2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP
Generosity because we trust God:
Firstly, let’s be the dads who trust that God is able to make all grace, every favor, and earthly blessing come in abundance to us and our marriages and our families! Secondly, let’s be the dads who choose to be generous because we know that God has already provided in advance the right amount to give so that we can always, under all circumstances, regardless of the need, have the right amount to give because we are sufficient in Him! Finally, let’s choose to live our live generously because God has provided us with the abundance we need for every good work and act of charity!
How can today’s verse of the day help us to become generous in a way that will model and enable us to be the husbands and dads our wives and kids need us to be? How can generosity be fueled from the heart in the right way producing joy rather than worry, doubt, or fear? What can we do if or when comparison rears its head and the opportunity to be generous comes up?
Applications of 2 Corinthians 9:8 towards being the dads God created, purposed, and plans for us to be for the sake of our wives, kids, and world:
- Trust in God’s Provision: The verse reminds us that God is able to provide abundantly, which can alleviate worry, doubt, and fear about our ability to provide for our families.
- Strengthen Your Faith: Trusting in God’s abundance can help strengthen your faith and reduce concerns about material wealth.
- Abound in Good Works: Use the abundance you receive to abound in good works and support your family in meaningful ways.
- Model Generosity: Be a role model for your wife and kids by practicing generosity, which encourages them to do the same.
- Focus on Needs: Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on meeting the needs of your family. Generosity should flow from a heart that genuinely cares for their well-being.
- Sow What You Reap: Encourage the idea of reaping what you sow. When you give generously, it can come back to you in various forms, including the joy and fulfillment of being a loving and supportive husband and dad.
- Prioritize Relationships: Remember that relationships are more important than material possessions. Being generous with your time, attention, and love can have a profound impact.
- Teach Gratitude: Encourage gratitude and appreciation in your family. When they see the generosity you show, they will learn to be grateful for what they have.
- Give Without Expectations: Be generous without expecting anything in return. Giving with a pure heart produces true joy.
- Lead by Example: As a husband and dad, your actions speak louder than words. Lead by example in your generosity, and your family will likely follow suit.
Generosity is a matter of the heart and so let’s allow God’s love to fill us so we can be generous on all occasions:
In summary, 2 Corinthians 9:8 can help husbands and dads become more generous by emphasizing trust in God’s provision, a focus on good works, and modeling generosity. It encourages a shift away from worry and comparison towards a heart-centered approach that produces joy and fulfillment in family life.
