Plant Generously
In his second letter to the believers in Corinth, Greece, the apostle Paul expressed His gratefulness for their commitment to generosity before challenging them with this statement:
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV
Paul knew that God had established some common-sense principles when it came to generosity. All throughout Scripture, we see both natural and spiritual implications of this cycle.
Natural: If you plant a few seeds in the ground, you will reap a small harvest. If you plant hundreds or thousands of seeds in the ground, you will reap a large harvest.
Spiritual: If you spend your time, money, talents, or energy investing in a friend, a stranger, a ministry, or the next generation, God can certainly multiply those efforts.
But Paul also makes it clear in the surrounding verses that you shouldn’t just give to get. If you do give, you should do so willingly and cheerfully—not begrudgingly.
What we sow with the right heart, God will surely multiply what we produce.
Proverbs 11:18 says, “…the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.” Hosea 10:13 says, “You have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception...”
Instead of seeds of selfishness, anger, or pride, let’s plant seeds of selflessness, peace, and humility.
Ask yourself: How am I investing my life? What types of seeds am I planting? Am I trusting that God will multiply my efforts when invested with the right heart?
Take some time to reflect on what you’re planting and reaping today, and ask God to direct your steps.
Unshakeable
Isaiah 40 is a chapter of comfort and hope. It was written for a people living in the shadow of exile, weighed down by the consequences of sin and the fear of what lay ahead. But right from the beginning, in verse 1, God speaks words of reassurance: “Comfort, comfort my people.”
As the chapter unfolds, we see a beautiful tension. On one hand, we are reminded of the frailty of human life: “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field” (verse 6). Life is fragile. Our efforts fade. Seasons change. The things we build, rely on, or admire can crumble in an instant.
But then we read Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” This is the turning point. While everything around us is temporary, God’s Word is unshakable and eternal. His promises never expire. His truth never becomes outdated. His voice still speaks comfort and strength today, just as it did then.
The chapter goes on...