Facing the Fear of Not Having Enough

6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.    

8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.        
                                                           2 Corinthians 9:6,8  NIV

    

   One of the biggest obstacles we have to overcome on the path to a more generous life is the fear of not having enough.  It is etched into our subconscious that if we become generous, we will not have enough for ourselves.  We are just like the disciples. Jesus had to correct them because of their anxiety and he warned them that the worries of this world would get in the way of a fruitful life.

   The best way to overcome this fear is to face it head on.  This week, ask God to prompt you with an opportunity to be generous.  It might be a gift to someone in financial need or a gift to a missionary or a sacrificial gift to God’s ministry through your church.   Remember God’s grace to you and his ability to meet all your needs abundantly and let these lead you to discover the joy of the generous life.  We can trust our generous God!

The Joy of Giving with No Strings Attached

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full.                                            

                                                                                                  Luke 6:32-34  NIV

    

    We live in world of traders.  Everyone is trying get more than what they have.  They trade time, money and other resources in an effort to secure what they think will make their lives better.  It’s easy to get caught in the cycle of trading and miss out on the joy of giving.  We give when we seek the benefit of someone else and leave whatever personal gain may come our way in the hands of our Heavenly Father.

   This week, ask God to lead you to an opportunity to give with no expectation of a return gift.  You might give time to help someone accomplish a project.  You might give a gift to someone who can’t afford to give a gift back to you or to someone whom you ask not to give a gift in return.  

Reflect on how much you have been given by God and then discover the joy of sharing it with someone else.