Think: There is a genuine tie between our generosity and how we connect to other people in our life… When reading from today’s scripture we see “Your generosity … not only provides for the needs of God’s people, but also produces prayers of thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12).  It’s a divine exchange where as we’re generous with each other, we thank God for each other and we’re drawn closer to each other.

Maybe in everyday life it goes something like this: Say one of your neighbors comes by to borrow a ladder. A few weeks later, you stop by their house only to see that neighbor already had a ladder… but the neighbor borrowed yours as a way of building a relationship.

When a neighbor borrows something we feel like we’re needed (and everyone likes that feeling!). Now maybe we in turn do the same thing with other neighbors. We borrow their ShopVac to clean our car, or hedge trimmers to keep the yard looking perfect, or a cup of sugar for the cookies to bake and then share. Now we could buy our own ShopVac, hedge trimmers, sugar and whatever else we come up with, BUT it’s a great excuse to interact. And your neighbors just might not want you to buy that stuff either because they like the excuse to connect, too.

The Bible says, “Your heart will be wherever your treasure is” (Matthew 6:21). Wherever I put my time, my money, my effort, my energy, wherever I invest myself, that’s what’s going to attract me. So, when I'm generous with you or with the poor or with my neighbors, that’s where my heart tends to go. And every time I give to God, it draws my heart closer to God, and every time I give to you, it draws my heart closer to you. Giving or generosity creates connection and community.

Do: If you have little kids, you love to see them share with each other. When you see that your kids aren’t selfish, you’re really happy with that. And God is the same way with all of us. When God looks down on us and he sees us being generous with each other he says, “Way to go… that’s My child!  They’re doing what I want them to do.” Because God is generous, and he wants us to become like Him.

Pray: Lord, show me how to be generous with all I have. I pray that my resources both financial and possessions, would all be used by You. Help me to connect with the people around me today by being willing to share what you’ve so generously given me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.