Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2 Corinthians 9:6
This message from Paul was given to the church in Corinth during a time they were suffering great persecution as many believers were going through some extreme financial difficulties. Paul understood this environment well, yet encouraged them to give abundantly to those fellow believers in Jerusalem, to help them as they were facing many such hardships as well. In other words, Paul has asked those who have little and are facing much uncertainty to give from what little they might have to help others, who they do not know personally, but are facing many if not more of the same problems.
Paul was convinced that in giving, believers would be brought together and the bounty they would reap would be so much greater than the bounty they sowed.
What do you think, was Paul wrong? -- Would Paul's message to any of us be any different today?
The word of God changes not!
Many Blessings.
Craig
I think Paul's message is spot on, it may however be more difficult for some to relate to it in these times. As Isaiah said in 40:8 'The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.'
As God termed him, King Solomon the wisest man to ever live wrote Proverbs 13:11 stating, 'Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But the one who gathers by labor increases it.' I don't think we have to live in poverty so long as we don't become obsessed with money. Charity doesn't need to be painful but I do think it should lead us to make sacrifices we wouldn't otherwise make. Great passage choice again :)
Thank you again for such a great reply and supporting scripture.
I fully agree with your statement and found it to be true for me. I really don't feel our Father asks many of us to be impoverished, instead I believe when we properly prioritize the gifts he has given us, he gives us even more. More so that we may glorify Him by sharing out of desire not guilt.
May your day be richly blessed!
No worries you're welcome. Like you said yourself it's 'sharing out of desire not guilt'.
May we continue prioritizing the gifts.
There's only one true measure of charity which I believe in. And that is: "It has to hurt." If it doesn't then it ain't charity, for you will only be giving from your excess.
But believing is one thing. Practicing it is another. For me, sadly, I still find it next to impossible to live up to my standard of charity. It's an inner struggle really when I know I ought to give more but refuse to do so for whatever convenient reason I can think of just so I don't have to give more.
This is the challenge that Paul's message today is giving us. Give from the little that you have. That has to hurt. And even though the amount you give is insignificant, if that is all you have then you have sown bountifully.
So I pray to the Lord that He helps me overcome myself and teach me to be truly charitable.
You have so beautifully articulated this challenge for yourself as well as for me. It is truly a constant personal reckoning. But as I have told @jumpmaster our Father does not impose guilt, that is Satan's trick. Pray for peace in this and it WILL be granted.
When we owned a youth center a few years back, my annual income was 1/4 of what it cost to run the center. We gave all of what we had plus borrowed money. I did not know how we would keep the doors open, but I knew our Lord did. Within a short time multiple opportunities came out of absolutely thin air, not connected with the center which changed our financial foundation.
I strongly believe in this verse not just that wealth might be returned, but blessings will absolutely.
I just read your comment above and I must say I read it over and over again because every time I read it a new reflection comes to mind. It's just like reading it for the first time even if you've read it before. And many times at that.
The first time I was reminded that wealth returned can come in so many different forms, not only money. Health, serenity, peace in the home and workplace, safety and so much more are blessings more than money. Thank you for reminding me of that.
The second time I was reminded that commitment to a purpose is important. Your youth center is the perfect example of this. You not only had a vision but a cause which is far more potent than the former. People die for a cause but not for a vision. Cause is held in your heart unlike vision which is only in your mind.
The third time reminded me that charity is not only about money. It is about time, concern, love, empathy, or simply an offer of a shoulder for someone to cry on.
The fourth, and I am going to make this the last as I might go on and on, is prayer. Prayer for peace of mind that the Lord will guide you and help you in your works of charity that ultimately they become pleasing to His eyes. P. U. S. H. (Pray Until Something Happens!)
Have a great day today (from my end of the world).
All I can say is you brought a tear to my eye.
Thank you brother, I am humbled and your words have given me much joy this day.
I think there's a natural law on giving, as seen in Luke 6:38
I think Paul's message was built on this law, spoken by Christ.
The thing many don't realize is that this law applies to both good and bad gifts.
Indeed.
Blessings Sister, have a bountiful day.
We should always have it at the back of our mind that when we sow positively,it will attract God and we will definately reap it in a good way. Thanks for the word of encouragement.
Giving is blessing we give to ourselves.
Thanks for sharing and have a glorious day.
We always reap what we sew. If we take some risks and sew a lot of seed then we will reap a bountiful reward. However, if we hide our talents, money, gifts, et cetera in the ground then we will be cast out and reap nothing.
Thanks for this,
Spencer Coffman
Thanks for sharing Spencer and have a truly bountiful day as you sow.
Thank you.
That's why it's always said that Givers never lack, beggars always asks.
I like this saying. Thanks and many blessings!
To have the chance to give to others is the greatest gift that we can receive. You’re making me feel guilty haha since lately I’ve been saving up for a big trip/move, and I haven’t been giving to others like I should. Thank you for reminding me what’s important with this awesome verse!
Ah, the Lord does not impose guilt, that is not His way of course.
Satan is the King of guilt our Jesus is the prince of peace. Be at peace in your trip and give generously of yourself no matter where you are and what you are doing and the blessings will return back to you many fold.
And of course I have not told you anything you did not already know.
Have a bountiful day.
Very true! But yes I hope to give more of myself whenever possible, and I will do so for sure in the coming weeks. Thanks as always for your wisdom sir!
@bycoleman Thanks for your yet another valuable POST. Keep sharing. Show peoples the right PATH. May GOD bless you brother.
Have a blessed DAY.
Thank you brother and a joyous day to you as well.
It's hypocrisy of we say we love God which we cant see, if we don't love our fellow man that we can see.
And if we truly love others we will always be ready to share even the little we have with them. Yes, Paul knew that giving is like fertilizer that fortifies love
@bycoleman thank you for this timely reminder, and yes you can stamp your two feets and preach this cus you have been practicing giving alot ...
Yes, it is hypocrisy and hypocrisy is one measure by which the world judges us harshly and keeps so many away from wanting to know anything more about the good news of the gospel.
Thank you for the kind words, just trying to be useful.
Blessings!
The way Satan is all out to blind the eyes of unbelievers so that the illumination of the truth my not shine through them these days is just alarming sir...
Well, I know it's not scripturally right to be over praising an imperfect human, so I'll give all the praise to our heavenly father for blessing our generation with people like you...
You are so correct about Satan's plan and how effective it is.
Brother, you give me WAY to much credit. I also thank God daily for all those I have met here and through such incredible Spirit filled responses, it is I that am being ministered to.
Blessings!
I love this message, thanks
You will not receive a comfortable life following Jesus, if people are looking for comfortable life, Christianity is not the one. Following Jesus means giving up everything just like the disciples in the early churches, facing continuous persecutions, yet, that's when the church grows the quickest. Thank you for the reminder, brother.
Paul message was clear and simply say the truth. Just like the most important law says "Love your neighbour as much as yourself.
Yes Paul knew what He was saying, because in the Kingdom of God if you want to have, you have to give first :)