He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon,
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 MSG
Sometimes we question God's generosity to us, especially when we are going through a trial. It can be very easy to look at everything we 'haven't got', rather than what we have got. I am speaking from personal experience! And it may not be in a financial sense that we are feeling 'forgotten', it may be in the area of health, relationships, creativity, career, and the list goes on.
But we are not forgotten. Jesus tells us in Luke 12:6,7 'Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And [yet] not one of them is forgotten or uncared for in the presence of God. But [even] the very hairs of your head are numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows.'
Sometimes we need to take a few moments to look around us and within us, looking for the blessings that have been poured out in those astonishing ways. On the outside it may be the stranger who has shown you great kindness in the past week, it may be the unexpected favour you were shown in a situation, it may be the illness that healed faster than expected, the list goes on and on. On the inside it may be the resilience you have gained through the trial, it may be the greater peace that sits within you no matter what is happening on the outside, it may be the increased trust you have in your Heavenly Father. Again the list goes on and on.
So then, what are we to do with all these blessings we have received? Are we just to sit and say, 'Wow God, thanks for blessing me in so many different ways' ? Well, that is a good start. But I believe God wants us to both be thankful, and take action, by passing on the generosity that God has given us, to others. Then they also get the opportunity to be blessed in astonishing ways. As it says in the scripture,
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but it is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 2 Corinthians 9:12-13 NIV
Questions for today, are you in a trial and unable to see God's blessing? Why not take 5 minutes now and ask God to show you the blessings you are receiving in the midst of the trial? And then ask Him how he wants you to use those blessings to bless someone else and show them the love of Jesus.
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