6 November | Teens
«So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.» 2 Corinthians 9: 7
Understanding that we reap what we sow is an important lesson in life. This applies to everything, including kindness and, of course, generosity. In 2 Corinthians 9:6 to 8, the Bible teaches us that God rejoices when we give with a glad heart, and this results in great blessings in our lives! I know this may seem illogical, because, after all, if we give something away, we're losing it, right? Not quite! When we give, we inexplicably feel something good inside us.
When we choose to be generous –by helping someone, sharing our resources or offering words of encouragement– we are planting “seeds” of kindness. Perhaps you've already noticed this when you treat someone well. Usually, the person responds positively. And even if you don't get a good response, keep being kind! Like a garden that is carefully cultivated, God makes these kind acts germinate, transforming them into fruits of love.
Being faithful in little things means valuing every opportunity to share, even if it seems small. Every generous gesture is a significant contribution to the great garden of life, where small acts can blossom into great achievements. That's why God promises that, if we give joyfully, He will give us everything we need to continue being generous. This doesn't mean having all the things in the world (like the latest video game) but having enough to be happy and make others happy too.
Take Action
This week, let's practice the joy of giving. Set aside something special that you can offer joyfully; it could be part of your pocket money, for example. When you give, do so with a joyful and grateful heart, remembering that each offering is a seed of goodness that God will help to grow.