Generous on Every Occasion

Unfolding

For so long
I hoarded
All that you blessed me with
Thinking that they will finish
If I hid them for myself;

But your sweet gentle voice
In the form of your Word
Aroused my interest
And opened my eyes
To see treasures in generosity;

So I unfold
My hands and my heart
To give all that I am
That there may be thanksgiving
And Glory to You.

The Inspiration

There are times when we don’t want the Word of God to be right. For instance we read Deuteronomy 28:1 with joy “And it shall come to pass, if thou shall hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth…” for so many blessings follow this verse. But when we get to verse 15 “But it shall come to pass, if thou will not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee…” and the verses that follow, we wish this part was not in the Bible.

God is a just God [Isaiah 45:21]. All scripture is given by HIS inspiration, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that we may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works [2 Timothy 3:16-17]. Therefore every part of the Bible is relevant.

But there was one that took me unawares. It read, “…that you may be generous on every occasion…” [2 Corinthians 9:11]. And these words came when I decided to go on strict savings, even if it meant starving. I had to check every possible translation to find a way out http://bible.cc/2_corinthians/9-11.htm. But all of them kept saying the same thing. How frustrating then. Then I read the statement beginning verse 11 “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…” It started making sense then. Part of the reason why God has blessed us is to enable us bless others. By so doing glory and thanksgiving will be given to God. Check out Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on this

http://mhc.biblecommenter.com/2_corinthians/9.htm.

But that is not all. What happens if you do not currently have money and material things to give (which I doubt)? What happens if you are a generous and cheerful giver but you do not give only money and material things? In what other ways can you be a generous on every occasion?

The cross-reference to 2 Cor 9: 11 reads “For in Him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge” [1 Corinthians 1:5]. This tells me that God has blessed us with so many things to bless others. It could be your words of motivation, uplifting or encouragement. It could be your time. It could be your presence. It could be your touch. It could be your smile. It could be a prayer. It could be a helping hand. It could be a call. The list is endless.

Be generous in every occasion with what you have. This does not mean that when you see an opportunity to sow a seed of money that you will tell yourself that you have other ways you can be generous. No. Always obey the voice of God. God has blessed you that you may be a blessing to others.

I’d like to conclude with the words Mordecai spoke to Esther, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?” [Esther 4:14]. I rephrase and state thus that if you do not respond at this time, relief and deliverance will still come as God plans. But have you wondered if God blessed you and placed you where you are to fulfill His will of bringing glory to HIM?

With what you have, be generous on every occasion. And you will see as He continues to bless you and you will bear much more fruit.

Have a blessed day and a wonderful month ahead.