Conduit, Not Container
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”2 Corinthians 9:7–8 (KJV)
Some people treat faith like a transaction. I give to God, God gives back to me, and the goal is to collect as much blessing as I can. It sounds spiritual, but it turns us into containers: everything flows in, and we keep it.
God’s first promise to Abram points another way. “I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” The blessing was never meant to stop with him. He was meant to be a channel.
Paul says the same about giving. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” And then why God supplies: “that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” What God gives us is for good works, not for storing up.
Look at what passed through your hands this month. Where could some of it flow on to someone else, cheerfully, before the month is out?
Read it yourself
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6–11. What does verse 10 say God ministers to the sower?
Do you think of your money more as a container or as a conduit?
Lord, you bless so I can be a blessing. Make me a cheerful giver, and let what you give me flow on to others. Amen.