Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
- How does the planting affect the number of crops?
- How should we give?
- What does God love?
Reflect
Paul continues encouraging the Corinthian church in generosity by using a farming analogy – the “harvest” of our generosity is directly related to what we plant. Then he takes it a step further by saying it’s about more than quantity, it’s about how we give. In many Greek writings, the word for “cheerful” means “at the ready.” Paul is saying that when we plant generously, we’ll reap generously, and God loves a giver who is “at the ready.”
So often people read this passage and use it as an excuse to not give. They may not feel cheerful and assume God wouldn’t want them to give. But these verses aren’t about feelings. They’re about readiness. And readiness brings cheerfulness.
Unconscious, sleepy people aren’t ready, but awakened people are. So have you been awakened? Are you “at the ready” to give? No matter who you are, where you are, or when you read this, there are seeds of generosity to be planted and a harvest to bring in. There are souls in need of Jesus, a church that needs to be released, a city that needs to be revived, and a world that needs hope. Let’s be at the ready and give.
Respond
- Would you say you’re an “at the ready” kind of person, or do you tend to approach things reluctantly? How is God challenging you in this area?
- What do you hope God will do through your generosity? Do you think your current giving (not necessarily what, but how) lines up with those hopes? Does anything need to change?
- In what specific areas is God challenging you in today’s reading? What do you think He’s asking you to do next?
As you process these questions, use page 83 of your Awaken Guidebook to jot down any key reflections or next steps. Be sure to bring your guidebook to your group! Page 84 is a great place to write down things that you want to process together.