"The Cheerful Giver"

 "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." (Ecclesiastes 11:1 KJV)

  "Remember this - a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, "They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever." For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you." (2 Corinthians 9:6-10 NLT)

 Rather interesting verse, as to be expected. In the commentary or Cross-Reference for this verse, specifically on the word, "cast," there is a little bit of information about what this might look like, compared to the giving or work, which ever, because everything should be done out of pleasure to give, not expecting to get anything in return: "'So thy seed or corn on the face of the water;' in plain terms, sow without any hope of a harvest: do good even to them on whom your benefactions seem thrown away." 

 This might be hitting really close to home, as it is, this first month of the year has really tested my trust in God's promise to give, expecting that there would be something good from giving generously. Yet, when we expect it to happen, we should not make light of the fact of why we give, in the first place. We should not give to receive, but we give because of what we have been given! 

 Case in point: When you give, you give from your blessings: blessings that are so plentiful, you could never give enough! Therefore, where you cast your offerings to, are not really to produce for you, but they are meant to bless others; eventually or in the end, you will reap great rewards...

""Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me to your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' "Then theses righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'"" (Matthew 25:34-40 NLT)