Have you ever gone to a restaurant with someone whose meal cost $10, and watched them struggle over the tip? They have $2 in change, and they know that leaving just $1 might be thought of as stingy. Yet, do they leave $2? Not on your life! That would be too much. Instead they’ll waste five minutes getting change for that second dollar so they can leave $1.50 tip and save themselves $.50, rather than to sow generously by leaving a little extra. What would have happened if they’d left the full $2? They would have made the server’s day. Fifty cents may not seem like much, but the message that goes along with it can mean the world to someone. I have a good friend who was out to eat recently. He noticed that his server was in need of dental care. He also discovered, in brief conversation, she was working out of necessity as the main provider for her needy family. Although my friend’s lunch was under $10, he left her a $20 tip. As he exited the restaurant, she ran after him and, with tears, thanked him for his generosity.
2 Corinthians 9:6 declares, “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Part of reaping generously is that we get to increase the joy of others, and, in the process, we bless ourselves. This is just one tiny example of the many ways in which the small things we do have surprisingly big repercussions. Here is the thing… God only tells us to do things that will put us in a place to be blessed by Him. He wants to bless us, and He will… in proportion to our obedience. And generously sowing our money, time, attention and energy in the lives of others, for God's purpose, puts us in the position to reap generously.
Pray with me… Our Father, make us like you, bighearted and open-handed. In our best moments we desire to bless and be blessed. Make it the rhythm of our Christian lives, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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