Sowing Generosity Reaps Rewards

One year a farmer brought in such an overflow of crops that his barn could not hold them. He sat down to think about his problem, and a while later jumped up in his excitement. “I know! I’ll build new and bigger barns. I’ll be set for years to come!”

But God said, “You fool! This very night you will die. Then who will get all this that you are hording for yourself?”

Even if the farmer had not died that night, he would have been a fool. God gives us wonderful resources of time, money and possessions with a greater purpose in mind. He wants us to enjoy those gifts, but he also wants us to share them freely with others.

Do we know someone  who has suffered a death in the family? We can take time to go to the funeral and comfort them with our presence. We can slip a gift of money in a sympathy card to help with expenses. We can bring a meal during the days while they are still stunned by their loss.

What about a family who has lost everything in a fire or suffered some other tragedy that we read about in the newspaper? We can send them a check to help them get back on their feet. If a neighbor, we can share our home and do whatever is needed to help them through the hard days ahead.

Do we hear of someone ill or injured? Even if we don’t know them or they live far away, we can pray for their recovery.

And how about elderly family, friends, and neighbors? We can make time in our busy schedules to visit, to help them shop or get to appointments.

God not only provides us with countless opportunities to help others with the resources he gives us, he rewards us both here on earth and in heaven. So go ahead. Be generous!

Focus: “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.” ~ Luke 16:9, The Living Bible.

What about you? What opportunities do you see God give you to to be generous with the resources he has also given you?