We have been looking all week at the power of the seed. In our mouths and in our hands we hold our future and the present of many people. Are there things in your life you no longer need? I have heard it said, "one man's junk is another man's treasure." Many of us buy what we don't need and then let it lay around until it is of no good to anyone. Sale it. Sow it. Trade it, but don't waste it. If you are not a good steward why would God give you more seed?
Paul assures the Corinthians that their generosity does not come at the risk of future poverty. On the contrary, generosity is the route to prevent future deprivation. “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).
Although Paul is clearly speaking of material generosity and blessing, we must be careful not to turn an assurance of God’s provision into an expectation of getting rich. God is no pyramid scheme! The “abundance” Paul speaks of means “having enough of everything,” not getting rich. However God does exceedingly abundantly more than we could think or ask so we may very well become wealthy. The difference between wealthy and rich is amazing. Rich means an abundance of a or some substances. Wealth is an abundance of riches. I would much rather be wealthy so I sow every time I get a chance whatever I have to sow and daily I become more wealthy.
This has obvious applications in giving away the fruits of our labor, that is, in donating money and other resources. But it applies equally well in giving of ourselves during our labor. We need not fear that by helping others succeed at work we will compromise our own well-being. God has promised to give us all that we need. We can help others look good at work without fearing it will make us look lackluster by comparison. We can compete fairly in the marketplace without worrying that it takes a few dirty tricks to make a living in a competitive business. We can pray for, encourage, support, and even assist our rivals because we know that God, not our competitive advantage, is the source of our provision. We must be careful not to distort this promise into the false gospel of health and wealth, as many have done. God does not promise true believers a big house and an expensive car. But he does assure us that if we look to the needs of others, he will make sure that our needs will be met in the process and if He chooses He can meet those needs exceedingly abundantly....and He does.
Get in the God business it pays in this life and in the life to come.
Paul assures the Corinthians that their generosity does not come at the risk of future poverty. On the contrary, generosity is the route to prevent future deprivation. “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).
Although Paul is clearly speaking of material generosity and blessing, we must be careful not to turn an assurance of God’s provision into an expectation of getting rich. God is no pyramid scheme! The “abundance” Paul speaks of means “having enough of everything,” not getting rich. However God does exceedingly abundantly more than we could think or ask so we may very well become wealthy. The difference between wealthy and rich is amazing. Rich means an abundance of a or some substances. Wealth is an abundance of riches. I would much rather be wealthy so I sow every time I get a chance whatever I have to sow and daily I become more wealthy.
This has obvious applications in giving away the fruits of our labor, that is, in donating money and other resources. But it applies equally well in giving of ourselves during our labor. We need not fear that by helping others succeed at work we will compromise our own well-being. God has promised to give us all that we need. We can help others look good at work without fearing it will make us look lackluster by comparison. We can compete fairly in the marketplace without worrying that it takes a few dirty tricks to make a living in a competitive business. We can pray for, encourage, support, and even assist our rivals because we know that God, not our competitive advantage, is the source of our provision. We must be careful not to distort this promise into the false gospel of health and wealth, as many have done. God does not promise true believers a big house and an expensive car. But he does assure us that if we look to the needs of others, he will make sure that our needs will be met in the process and if He chooses He can meet those needs exceedingly abundantly....and He does.
Get in the God business it pays in this life and in the life to come.
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