March 30th, 2025: 2 Corinthians 9.6-9

2 Corinthians 9:6-9
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows with blessing will also reap with blessing.
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 every grace abound to you, so that in everything at every time having every sufficiency, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
9 as it is written, “HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE NEEDY, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS STANDS FOREVER.”

When gardening, the amount of seed we put out has a direct reflection on how much produce we will receive. Not every seed planted will sprout, and every seed not planted will definitely not sprout. Our faith is the same. If we do things for God, if we teach and preach, encourage those around us, shine our light, give to the needy, invest in ourselves with self-study; God will bless us accordingly. Yet if we refrain from these things by hiding our light, withdrawing our resources, or focusing on the things of the world; we will receive what we put into God: nothing for nothing. Contextually, Paul is speaking to the Corinth church about the money they were going to send to Jerusalem because the church there was going through a severe famine. The comments of not doing so begrudgingly but cheerfully is one we should learn from as well. When we do things for God, it should come from a joyful spot in us. From love and desire to help our neighbors and honor our God. Without love, our work will be meaningless. And let’s not be fearful of our resources. God gives in abundance to us so that we can do these works that are needed. So, next time we may find ourselves with money, let’s look at how we can use that for God. When we find ourselves with more time than normal through various circumstances, let’s see how we can spend that for our God the best. Let’s do the work for God, trying to plant for God as much as we can with the heart of love and cheerfulness. He will bless us if our heart is for Him in everything that we do.