How Wide is Your Circle of Generosity?

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." As I read those words from 2 Corinthians 9 this morning my heart overflowed with thanksgiving for the people who have so generously sewn into my life. I have a rich, Christian heritage filled with people who loved, taught and lived the Word of God. My Mother is my greatest example. Her life was not easy working as a waitress, mother, wife, housekeeper, cook, laundress, and spiritual model to three children. But through it all she tenaciously went after God. Consequently, her children were blessed by her generosity and we are all now serving the Lord. In the morning she left before sunrise for work but her Bible was left open on the table. At other times we could hear her praying behind closed doors. We gathered for family devotions taking turns reading the Bible. Going to church together was as normal as clockwork -- if the doors were open, we were there. Singing together as she played the guitar was one of our favorite times together. Mom taught Sunday School but more was caught by her loving attitude and obedience than any words she spoke. Because she had been in the Word, practiced the presence of God in prayer, went to church to be taught and be in fellowship she was able to sow generously into the lives of her children, neighbors, co-workers, friends, and later others she visited and brought to church when her own nest was empty. Freely she received, freely she gave. The circle of her influence reached far and wide in Newark, Delaware. Our neighbors were saved and their children and some of their grandchldren. Many other children were saved and discipled under her care who are now mothers and fathers passing on the generosity of my Mom. I believe her generoslity reaches out even now through me to you. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift -- my Mom and grace." Women, are we sowing sparingly or generously into our family or looking out for number one? How wide will our circle of influence reach? "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. " (Read 2 Corinthians 9.) You can never outgive the Lord.