When it comes to preparing financially for the future, there are a multitude of financial advisors out there who will tell us what savings and investment plans will yield us the best return.  And while it is wise to invest our money carefully for the future on earth, it is even more important that we be investing into God’s Kingdom.

God’s investment plan for the future is clearly stated in 2 Corinthians 9:6 –

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

This verse comes in the middle of the Apostle Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians that they should be generous givers. The principle in this verse is that when we give generously of our money to help others, God will give money back to us generously. This is the principle of sowing and reaping. What we sow we will reap in like kind.

Although this sounds a lot like the “Prosperity Gospel,” there is one big difference. The verses following tell us WHY God will give back to us so abundantly—so that we can give to others even more, not so that we can keep it and use it for our own pleasure.

2 Corinthians 9:8-11 tells us,  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  (9)  As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”  (10)  He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  (11)  You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Generous giving is God’s path to prosperity. But real prosperity is only experienced as we abundantly bless others with all that God has blessed us with.