Habit Of HappinessSample

Empty Hands Receive Greater Blessings

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:11, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (NIV).

What an amazing verse! God makes you rich in every way so you can be generous on every occasion, which will result in thanksgiving to God.

God doesn’t bless you so you can be greedy; he blesses you so you can be generous. You give away, and God gives back to you so you can give more away and he can give more back to you and on and on and on. God doesn’t give you things so you can pile them up. When you let go of what’s in your hand, it’s now empty to receive greater blessings from God.

But as I’ve said before, God’s giving to you is based on your attitude. That’s why it’s so important to live with an attitude of gratitude. The Bible says, “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12).

When you give, you are performing a service. To serve and to give is the same thing. It’s two actions of love. You can’t love without serving and giving. And the best part is this: Your service leads to expressions of thanksgiving to God.

Take a moment to pray and express your gratitude to God.


This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.