A Good Trade -- April 9, 2010

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-9 (NKJV)

This whole giving thing is based on being like our heavenly Father. Our giving is based on His established ways. He has already dispersed goods to the poor. He has done it according to His righteousness. When we give, the potential for our righteousness to grow towards His is always available. We must do this giving without feeling it is a requirement because this kind of giving is like His giving and it pleases Him. Paul is not talking about the size of our offering when he discusses the sparing nature of that offering. He is speaking to our heart condition. If we sow with a small heart we will receive a small return. If we give with all that our heart has we open the doors to God’s grace. We allow His provision to flow into our lives when we give with an open heart.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we have been blessed so much by our Savior that it is only natural for us to bless others with our material goods as an expression of our full hearts. I want to be like Christ in nature and I know you do too. One way we can become like our Elder Brother is to be glad givers. He gave everything with and for the joy of bringing us into His Family. Jim Elliot had it so right when he told those who questioned his wisdom of bringing the Gospel to the Aucas Indians by telling them, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” We are wise to give up the temporary for the eternal.

Looking forward to the eternal treasure of being like Him,

Pastor Jason