The Lord Watches Your Generosity - day 4

The Lord Watches Your Generosity

2 Corinthians 8:12
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

People are often grouped as “glass half-full” people or “glass half-empty” people. The glass half-full people are the optimists, always seeing what is good about a situation. The glass half-empty people are the pessimists, the ones who, instead of seeing what is good, only see what is wrong or missing. When God looks at your generosity, how does He see your glass? Do you think He looks at all the ways you could have done more or could have done better?                                                           

Many people experience huge amounts of guilt and anxiety because they don’t think they are doing enough for God. They fear He isn’t happy with them. But, the Scriptures tell us that God looks at the offerings His children bring graciously and generously. When a child makes a drawing for a parent, they come and say, “Look what I made you!” All you might see are a bunch of squiggly lines of crayon; but, when told it is a picture of the two of you playing outside, or a pony, or a million different things, no parent looks at the child and says, “Well this is sure a poor drawing; but, I guess I’ll take it.” Rather, because that picture is from your own child, it is cherished. And the next thing you know, you have a refrigerator covered with drawings that only look vaguely like what they are supposed to be.

Likewise, when God’s children bring an offering to God made in love and eagerness, 2 Corinthians 8:12 says that God is well pleased with that offering. He doesn’t judge His children according to all the things they never were or never accomplished. Rather, because they are His own spiritual children He receives the offering they bring. 

If you are one of God’s redeemed children, live generously toward God, in ways both large and small, and know that God is pleased by that action.

Today's Generosity Challenge: Today is a two-part challenge; first prayerfully consider how you can do something for someone that is small; but, meaningful. Then, pray for something really sacrificial, something big that will cost you. Now, ask the Lord to present total strangers before you that you can live generously for them with these two challenges. Then tonight, before you go to bed, write down your observations and how your generosity was received. Journal your challenge below. As your eyes close, ask the Lord to remind you of His generosity towards you, in the big things and the small things.

About Michael Stickler

Mike is an author, radio host, and a highly sought after motivational speaker. His best-selling book, A Journey to Generosity, is widely acclaimed throughout the Christian community. He is the publisher of Generous Living Magazine and writes for the Christian Post, 'A Generous Life' column.