Read:
Nobody plants a seed and then stands there crying because they don’t have their seed anymore. Seeds are planted with expectation—what goes into the ground grows. When you plant a seed, you feel some sense of hope or excitement about what will grow from it.
Paul says generosity works the same way. Giving isn't your money vanishing. It's a seed being planted. You give before you can see the harvest because you believe God will grow it into something greater.
Which is exactly why Paul adds that God loves a cheerful giver. Not one who feels obligated, or one who feels sad about what they’re giving up. Cheerful. Joyful. Hopeful. And you can't fake that. You can only give with this kind of posture when you truly believe God will take care of you—when you believe he’ll do greater things with what you’re planting.
So stop guarding your seeds. Put them in the ground and watch with hope-filled excitement as God makes something grow.
Pray: God, help me plant generously and leave the harvest to you. Help me to give with hope and anticipation, not with obligation or dread. You gave me these seeds so I can scatter them freely. I can’t wait to see what you do with them! Amen.