Reasons to Give

6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;

their righteousness endures forever.” ^a

10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Thoughts: One of the important parts of faith is to believe that God blesses us.  God is the ultimate Blesser.  Everything we see is created by the Creator.  So all that is a blessing is from Him.  We are motivated to give in part because all we have is a gift of God. He supplies seed to the sower and bread for food. 
     The second motivation is that when we give, we believe God will provide for us so we can give some more.  This passage infers this- we sow and reap in proportion.  We cannot outgive God.   
     A third motivation is that we are given gifts in order to be generous toward others.  Paul was encouraging the church in Corinth to join the church in Macedonia and Rome in giving to the church in Judea which was undergoing a famine and persecution.  

     Giving, however, is not just a logical thing.  It is a matter of faith.  If you love God and He calls you to love neighbor, we must give of what we have.  When we trust God, He enables us to glorify Him.  

Prayer: Lord, let me be generous in imitation of your generosity and blessing.