Sowing and Reaping

'What goes around comes around' is a phrase we hear often. It is also a Biblical principle. In Luke 6:38 Jesus tells us to give and we will receive back what we give.

Give kindness and you will receive kindness. Give love and you will receive love. Galatians 5:14 says we are to love others as we do ourselves. Such behavior is its own reward, but we will also reap a blessing.

We hear the principle of sowing and reaping sometimes applied to our finances as well. Malachi 3:10 says, "'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,' says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, 'I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!'" (NLT)

There was a time in my life when I did just that. My finances were lacking and there was no way the money I was making would cover all my basic expenses. To some, it may have made sense to stop tithing. But I knew God’s Word and decided to continue giving to my church.

I will never forget that season in my life. Suddenly a dollar seemed to be more than a dollar. Somehow, every bill I had was paid and every need was met.

During that time, I needed a new winter coat. I couldn't afford much but I went shopping and found the perfect coat. It was a $300 coat, but it had been marked down so many times it was hard to see the current price. When I made it out, it was just $30! I couldn't believe it! To this day I have not owned a finer coat. Even more amazing, this is the only coat I have ever owned that didn't need to have the sleeves or hem altered because of my small stature. It was like it had been made for me!

I remember thinking, "This is more fun than actually having enough money," as I watched the Lord provide for me in wonderful ways.

Our God is so faithful. We can trust Him to bring us through the hard times, and His Word is true.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 tells us to cast our bread on the waters, and it will come back to us. From this we know that blessings will be returned to those who are generous and hospitable.

So, whatever you are needing today, you can trust God's Word. Do you need more love, more kindness, or more time? Try giving more of what you need and watch as it comes back to you in abundance.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.