The gift of giving - 2 Corinthians 9-10

Recently we attended an event where we were learning about a ministry on the other side of the world in a country very different from the United States.  This event was designed to help us catch a vision for the ministry to children who have debilitating birth defects that could be all but corrected if treated early enough.  The surgeries necessary can be accomplished for what many of us spend on a weekend get away with our families. 

At the end of the event, the missionary encouraged us with two statements.  First, he reminded us that each one of us what in that room because someone prayed for us.  Now, I believe he was referring to the fact that most of us were believers, and we received that free gift because someone cared enough for our souls to pray for us and with us.  What he may not have realized, is that there were folks there who are tragically lost in their sin, and yet they were also there because someone is praying for them.

Second, he told that us that when we give to the ministry to these little ones, that they and their families JOY in the opportunity to pray for us!  What a thought!  A "friend" from Kijabe, Africa will bathe my family in prayer!  Intercede on our behalf for God to meet needs and bring blessing to our home. What a gift!  One day in eternity, we can meet the family who received life changing medical treatment from our gift, and rejoice with them over how God worked in our family as a result of their prayers from Africa!

If you ever doubt that God can provide for you when you give sacrificially, read these promises:

2 Corinthians 9: 7-15

" Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. ⁸ God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others. ⁹ The Scriptures say,

“God freely gives his gifts
to the poor,
    and always does right.”

 

¹⁰ God gives seed to farmers and provides everyone with food. He will increase what you have, so that you can give even more to those in need. ¹¹ You will be blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous. Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift.

¹² What you are doing is much more than a service that supplies God’s people with what they need. It is something that will make many others thank God. ¹³ The way in which you have proved yourselves by this service will bring honor and praise to God. You believed the message about Christ, and you obeyed it by sharing generously with God’s people and with everyone else. ¹⁴ Now they are praying for you and want to see you, because God used you to bless them so very much. ¹⁵ Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!"