But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 

(2 Corinthians 9:6 NKJV)

I dialed the number to make a donation to the Christian radio station. One of the radio personalities answered. “My computer is moving slow. Just hang on, please.”

To ease the silence, I offered some encouragement. “I really enjoy your talk show. I love the interviews you do with women each week.”

“Overwhelmed with gratitude, she explained, “you don’t know how much that means to me. That encourages me to know people receive hope and are uplifted by our messages.”

“I do know how much it means. I write devotions, and I know how it feels when someone appreciates you.”

I had no clue that her ministry included a web site with daily devotions on it until she gave me her email address as she asked me to submit a devotion. Several weeks passed before I discovered I had been invited to join their group of writers. I wrote for that ministry for several years.

Do you know why Black Friday is called Black Friday? It began as the day businesses typically made enough gains to get out of the red and into the black for the year. As accounting terms, red stands for losses and black refers to gains.

When we give to God, it’s always a gain. It’s always a Black Friday no matter which day it is. I don’t know who coined the phrase, but it is true:

You can’t outgive God.

The day I gave to that radio station, God gave me a writing opportunity that blessed me as I reap bountifully from it.

Giving to God is primarily done through our tithes, but we should seek to stretch beyond that ten percent. Since we reap what we sow, I definitely want to sow over and above that minimal amount.

God also blesses us when we contribute to Christian workers, like Christian radio, TV, and podcasts. Taking care of your preacher is another opportunity to sow into your church. Authors, speakers, singers, and musicians also dedicate long hours writing that book, studying that message, and producing a CD. Blessing them blesses you, and I’m not saying that in hopes of a monetary donation.

I’m sharing this today, because I want to encourage you to give and in turn to be blessed. Perhaps there’s someone at work or a neighbor down the street who could use a special love offering. When you decide to give this Christmas season, God will repay you a hundred-fold. Maybe not financially, but in His own special way.

Lord God, thank You for Your bountiful blessings. As we begin shopping for bargains, show us someone in need who we can bless. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor.+9%3A6-15&version=NKJV

HIKING THE TRAIL

Ask God to direct your regular giving at church. Ask Him to show you someone you can help. The next time a gospel group or guest speaker visits your church, ask God what you should give them.

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Originally posted on November 26, 2021 @ 3:00 am