March 24, 2023
The Rewards of Generosity
The Apostle Paul - “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
DAILY DEVOTION
When we live generous lives, we quickly begin to understand that there are rewards we receive for our generosity. We learn from the Bible that “God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8) Many of us know and love to sing the worship song The Goodness of God, especially the chorus which says, “All my life You have been faithful. All my life You have been so, so good…” The Lord has been so good and faithful to us and we often see that even more when we are generous.
So what are the rewards of living a generous life? First, when we live generous lives, we receive more blessings in our own lives. The Bible teaches that “the more we give to help others, the more we will have to give others.” (2 Corinthians 9:9-11) King Solomon writes, “Some people give much but get back even more. Others don’t give what they should and end up poor. Whoever gives to others will get richer; those who help others will themselves be helped.” (Proverbs 11:24-25 NCV) Jesus said, “Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full… The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6:38 NCV) And the Apostle Paul writes that “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6 NKJV) All throughout the Bible, we see that those who are generous are often blessed beyond measure.
Second, when we live generous lives, we will experience more joy in our lives. Even though Jesus said that “it is more blessed to give than to receive,” (Matthew 20:35 NKJV), many people find it hard to believe. However, when we actually are generous, we realize that the happiest and most blessed people in our world are those who are generous givers. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.” That’s good advice and is proof of what the Bible teaches - that our faithful and generous giving brings help and encouragement to others as well as joy to our own lives.
Third, when we live generous lives, we will have the opportunity to pay it forward. Many families struggle with generational curses, but when we are generous, we have the opportunity to establish generational blessings through our faithful giving. The Psalmist writes, “The love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to His covenant, of those who obey His commandments!” (Psalm 103:17-18 NCV) Obedience in our lives can pay forward a foundation of blessing in the lives of our children and our children’s children.
FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY
In your journal or on a piece of paper, write out these three benefits of living a generous life. Then, add to that list any other benefits which come to your mind. If you’re leading your family through this devotion, work through the above exercise as a family.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, thank You for Your blessings in my life and for the benefits that come into my life when I am generous. You are so good to me. In Jesus name, Amen.