Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, NIV
I loved those crisp fall days when the kindergarten children returned from the apple orchard with bulging backpacks filled with apples they had picked. They were proud of how many they could carry, often expressing their accomplishment through exaggerated groans as they struggled down the hallway under the weight of their treasures.
Todd was proud of his apples, too. But instead of keeping them all for himself, he carried several in his hands and offered them to the staff members he passed along the way.
“Hi, Mrs. Wilson. Would you like one?” he asked as he approached me.
Todd and his sister came from a family with very few material resources. Yet on that particular day, Todd had something to give, and he was eager to share it. He wasn’t calculating how many apples he could keep or wondering whether he would have enough left for himself. He simply saw something he had that someone else might enjoy, and he joyfully gave it away.
At five years old, it seemed Todd had already discovered something many of us spend a lifetime learning: the joy of giving isn’t dependent on how much we have. It comes from being willing to share what God has placed in our hands.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that God cares not only about what we give, but also about how we give. Giving can easily become something we do out of obligation, expectation, or pressure. But God desires generosity that flows willingly from a grateful heart.
What has God placed in your hands today that you could share with someone else? It may be a tangible gift, but it could also be your time, encouragement, attention, kindness, or an act of service. Ask God to give you His perspective on generosity and to show you where you can bless someone today.
Lord, may we be generous with what You have given us! Amen.
Copyright Shirley Wilson.
Shirley is a retired Christian Educators member and a former board member.
