What are you willing to give? How much are you willing to put into it? Are you willing to give it all? Or will you hold back? Do you ask yourself these questions every day? Do you ask them about everything you do?
We have heard people say, and probably said ourselves, “You get out of it what you put into it.” We often say this when it comes to sports or jobs. But it applies to everything we do. The more we pour ourselves into something, the more we get out of it.
Have you ever wondered where this saying came from? We might look back and consider what the apostle Paul told the church in Corinth in today’s passage. It is often used to convince people to contribute more financially to the church. True, the context is contributing to aid others. However, I don’t believe that is the only application nor that Paul intended it so.
Have you ever been around someone with a passion for a particular activity? Perhaps it is someone who loves music and wants to be a professional. They practice for hours and hours each day. I know of one particular guitar player who had recorded multiple albums with his band and continued to practice at least eight hours per day. Perhaps that is why he was regarded as one of the top ten guitarists within his genre.
The principle applies to each one of us. It applies to the work we do for God. Do we wonder why our churches are shrinking? We need look no further than ourselves. If we are only putting an hour or two into it each week, we are not going to be very good at it. Please don’t misunderstand, it is not all about being in the building. Working for God includes spending time with Him on our own, telling others about Jesus, watching educational videos, taking classes, listening to music lifted up to Him, and much more. It means giving all we are and all we have to Him. Is this not fair? After all, He both created us and gave Himself up for us.
I pray we all give all we are to God. I pray we give all we have in everything we do for Him. I pray each one of us will commit to God fully, wholeheartedly, with a passion. Put your full energy into serving God. Give your whole being to Him. Give all you have to Him. Know that God gave Himself for you.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And 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.
Marty Pressey 