Do We Sow Generously?

Do we sow generously? The answer for most of us is No. Most Christians today still are not giving as God wants us to. What do we do about that?

In my quiet time with Jesus this morning, I got convicted. I’ve been slowly working my way through Susie Larson’s devotional book called Prevail. By slowly, I mean, I started this book on January 1, 2022. Friend, that is nearly two years of slow. Remember though, we can live unhurried. 

Now, I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe God leads me. This week, I’ve picked up Prevail again and started reading where I left off. I’ve read it consistently four days in a row this week, which is saying something because most of this year, I have not even opened this devotional book.

Today, I read Day 222. Don’t you love that? This is Day 22 of the November New Challenge. Coincidence? I think not!

Do We Sow Generously?

My husband and I have been consistent givers to God’s work all the years we’ve been married. Consistent yes, but not always generous. Over the years, like most people, we’ve had seasons of financial struggle. It’s so easy to either not give or to reduce the amount of money we give to God’s work when we are financially struggling. I know because we are guilty of using that designated money for other things.

But Malachi 3:10, NIV says,

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

It’s clear by God’s Word that we are to tithe. Now, I’m not going to lecture if the tithe is based on our gross or net income. Jesus is not legalistic, and neither am I. But the fact remains that we are to give. 

In Susie’s devotional, she shared a frightening stat. 

“Approximately 95 percent of Christians today still refuse to trust God as their provider. Ministries are trying to function on 5 percent of the resources God intended. If you’re in the 95 percent, I dare you to trust Him.” (p. 234)

Wow, that stat shocked me! No wonder some ministries are struggling. God’s people are not obeying Him. Do we sow generously? Do we even sow? Meaning do we give any of our blessings from God to others? 

The Check is in the Mail

For quite some time, God has been nudging me to donate to an old friend and her husband’s ministry. We used to donate monthly, but for some reason we stopped. I’m embarrassed to say years have gone by that we have not supported their ministry.

Another friend’s ministry we regularly donate. However, in the last year, we have not been consistent. I own it! Some months I forget to send the check.

And there’s a new ministry I’ve been thinking about financially supporting. I love babies and children. I am pro-life. And I’ve been challenged by some when I share this publicly. “What do you personally do about it, Michelle?” I admit, I get convicted. And while we’ve donated periodically to some organizations who support families in need, specifically regarding abortion, it’s not been consistent.

This new ministry raises money for adoption so that forever families don’t have to pay for the adoption. How cool is that? Guess what I did this morning? I finally donated money to this ministry. 

And the other ministries mentioned above, I wrote a check to each and put them in the mail this morning. 

We’re in the November New Challenge. Now is a good time to try something new. Trust God to provide. If you don’t give as much as you think God wants you to, increase what you give. Even if you increase just a little, that’s a step in the right direction.

Blessing

May we trust God to provide for us. May we begin to sow generously. May others be blessed because of our generosity.