6/9 - 2 Corinthians 9

2 Cor 9

" ⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (v. 6-7)

In our Bible study we've been dealing with this topic of giving but beyond just our tithes, but giving our time & resources as well. One thing I've been convicted of is giving up to my comfort level. I give just enough so that my finances aren't in any way compromised and for the most part I don't really feel it leave my pockets; in other words, there's no real sacrifice. Now I know this is the part where people tell me that "God doesn't desire sacrifice but mercy and a broken and contrite heart" and that "we're to be good stewards of our money" and I still believe that. I also believe in the spirit of the law whereby God is pleased with a genuine offering and an offering that cost you nothing is meaningless. In Luke 21:1-4 Jesus contrasts the widow who gave pennies to the Pharisees who gave out of their wealth and concluded that she had given far more because it costs her more. A general rule of thumb for the Christian life should be to not be found doing whatever the Pharisees did. Jesus wore these brothers out all up and down the gospels. Nobody wants that.

If we really start to get this whole eternal perspective on life, we may actually start to understand that everything we own is temporary and ultimately useless. So what better way to be a good steward of your money than to give it away to someone who needs it more? It's not going to last you very long on this earth anyway. Now I know I'm just talking now, but I pray that God will prepare my heart to give willingly, especially since He has given me so much.

⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." ¹⁰Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

My reflection for today is this: when I stand before God, what will my response be when He says, "What did you do with what I gave you?"