April 10
The Joy
of Giving Freely
“Here is something to remember.
The one who plants only a little will gather only a little.
And the one who plants a lot will gather a lot.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give.
You shouldn’t give if you don’t want to.
You shouldn’t give because you are forced to.
God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to shower all kinds of blessings on you.
So in all things and at all times you will have everything you need.
You will do more and more good works.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8, NIrV)
Every morning, Gina rode the bus to her office downtown. She often scrolled through Instagram during her commute, half-paying attention to the world outside. It had become routine: the same route, the same stops, and the same man sitting on the corner near her office.
He always sat there, a cardboard sign propped in front of him: “Anything Helps. God Bless.” Gina avoided eye contact, gripping her coffee a little tighter each time she walked by. She wasn’t heartless—she told herself she just couldn’t help everyone.
One Tuesday morning, while scrolling through Instagram, a post caught her attention. It was a simple graphic with the verse from 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. The caption read, “Generosity isn’t just about money. It’s about the heart. What seeds are you planting today?”
The words struck something deep in Gina. She closed the app and stared out the window as the bus neared her stop. Her eyes landed on the familiar figure of the homeless man she passed every day. She remembered how she’d justified not helping: What difference could I really make?
But today, the verse echoed in her mind. “The one who plants only a little will gather only a little.”
As Gina stepped off the bus, she hesitated. She didn’t have cash, but she did have time and kindness to offer. Instead of rushing past, she stopped, smiled, and said, “Good morning.” She handed him the sandwich she’d packed for lunch.
Surprised, the man looked up and said, “Thank you. God bless you.”
Walking into work, Gina felt something shift. For the first time in a long while, she felt the joy of doing something selfless. It wasn’t about the size of her gift but the willingness to give it. She realized that generosity isn’t about solving every problem—it’s about being faithful with what you can do.
Prayer:
Thank You for teaching us the beauty of generosity.
Forgive us when we turn away from those in need, believing we don’t have enough to give.
Help us, like Gina, to trust that even small acts of kindness can plant seeds of Your love.
May we always be cheerful givers, knowing You will provide for our every need.
Inspire us to open our hearts and hands to those around us, reflecting Your grace in all we do.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
