6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written,
“HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER."
10 Now 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 everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Message: Sowing Generously, Reaping Abundantly
What the Lord is Saying: This was the title of the message yesterday at church. I spent time studying the passage in church, kind of summarizing ideas from each verse and then continuing to think about the meaning of the text. The pastor is doing a series on giving and has an agenda with the passage and seems more focused on the passage that we give cheerfully. His points weren't off base. I just saw some other things.
Looking at each verse
6 - Sow little, reap little; sow bountifully, reap bountifully
7 - No grudges, no complaining, God loves a cheerful giver
8 - God has grace to us - we have good deeds
9 - He gave to the poor (freely; Ps. 112:9); righteousness forever
10 - He supplies seed/bread and will supply and multiply your seed
11 - I will be enriched - producing thanksgiving
12 - Fully (and frequent) supplying - overflowing thanksgiving
13 - So glorify God for obedience
14 - Pray for others; yearn for others
15 - Thanks to God for His Gift! Indescribable (Rom. 5:15)
I enjoyed that. Taking each verse and just looking at its basic idea.
I summarized further -- Sow - Cheerfully giving - He supplies - Overflow with thankfulness. Glorify God - pray for others - Thank God for His Holy Gift.
This idea that he supplies the seed/bread. He is the supplier of what we give. He supplies. Our responsibility is to give.
1. Sow with Cheer (I DO)
2. Be Thankful (for this Supply) (TO GOD)
3. Glorify God (TO GOD)
4. Pray (I DO)
5. Thank God (TO GOD)
Only the first verse speaks of reaping abundantly. The main idea seems to be about giving back in multiple ways. We give back through prayer in praying for others. And we give back by being thankful to God for what He has supplied us. And we give back by glorifying God. And we ultimately thank God for His indescribable gift. The gift is the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the One Man (Jesus Christ), which abounds to the many.
Summary: The idea there not so much about frequent giving but our heart and do it for him. I mean frequent giving will occur as He keeps supplying. I am to sow and pray. And I am to be thankful, glorify Him and Thank Him.
Prayer: Thank you God for the great gift that You have given Me in providing Jesus as the sacrifice for my sins. Adam sinned and sin spread to all, but the power of Your sacrifice, shedding your blood for me, saves. Glorify to God for your great gift. Help me to be a cheerful giver and also to also thank You always for what you have supplied, glorifying You and thanking You for the gift of salvation. And help me to pray for others, yearning for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment