2 Corinthians 9:6. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully (with blessings) shall reap bountifully.
And Saturday has rolled around again… But this time it’s a summer Saturday, hopefully a dry summer Saturday, so that we can get outside and do some fun summer things, not have to stay indoors because of rain, like we had most of yesterday in my area.
That reminds me that my church has a big used clothing and electronics drive today and tomorrow, so we definitely need two sunny days for that to go off well. I also need to find two strong men to help me lift a couple of big, used TV’s out of my basement. Chuh! What’s the world coming to eh? The ole fella can’t even lift up a TV now. (smile) But as they say, after one time is definitely two yes!
And since it is Saturday, lazy Saturday, let’s meander into some quotes of this week by our friend Anselm, who sincerely aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. Hear this first one: ‘Don’t let vague fears hold you back from doing what you want. So I have learned to ask myself this: honestly, what is the worst that could happen?’
Yes my people, a lot of times we allow some uncertain, hazy, can’t put our finger on it fear to stop us from moving on up. That’s when we need our faith to step in and give us proper guidance. And that fear can ofttimes lead us into this situation. ‘Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.’ Oh do we ever make mountains out of molehills, especially in this selfish and whining society in which we now live!
And to stop doing that, we need to ‘Cultivate and live in a positive environment. To be able to stay positive it is essential to have influences in your life that support you and lift you up instead of dragging you down. So carefully consider what you let into your mind.’ And also who you let into your life, because the people in your life can influence your mind.
But then too, we must ‘Add value and positivity to someone else’s life. What you send out you tend to get back from the world and the people in it.’ Now that’s indisputable truth, because it’s just God’s infallible principle of you reap what you sow. So, if we want to get good things in our lives, we need to sow good things into the lives of others. As simple as that my brethren.
And this is how Bruh Paul says it to the Corinthians in our Bit. ‘But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully (with blessings) shall reap bountifully.’ It couldn’t get any plainer and more straightforward than that friends.
As the scholars explain: ‘9:6. One’s return is determined by his investment (cf. Prov.11:24; Luke 6:38; Gal.6:7). The expression ‘ep’ eulogiais’ ordinarily translated “with blessings” here has the sense of “generously.” While it does not suggest indiscriminate giving, it does denote “unrestrained” giving.’
Yes friends, we don’t have to give willy-nilly, but when we do give, we must give as generously as we can. Our return depends on the size of our investment. The bigger it is, the bigger our return will be. As Bruh Paul continues after our Bit: ‘Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (compulsion): for God LOVETH a cheerful giver.’ (2 Cor.9:7)
Ah mih people, Christians ought to take joy in giving, in sharing the blessings our generous heavenly Father has poured out on us. Let’s remember He did not give us all that we have for our use alone, but to share it with the less fortunate.
And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘9:7. Cheerful giver: The giver is to have a willing heart and a sincere desire to participate in the offering. Paul is not so much interested in their money. Nor is God for that matter, as the passage from Proverbs 22:9 indicates. The Greek term ‘hilaron,’ from which the English “hilarious” derives, is best rendered as the English text suggests, “cheerful.” Giving is not a joke. It is serious business, but it is a delightful experience all the same.’
And it surely is precious people of God, for when you give from a cheerful and generous heart, you experience a divine feeling, one of helping, of making the heart of someone else glad, which in turn makes your heart glad. Glory to God! And I guess we ought to see what Proverbs 22:9 says. ‘He that hath a bountiful (generous) eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.’ No doubting that my fellow believers!
Now listen to Jesus, as He adds His two cents worth to the topic. (smile) ‘Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom (pocket). For with the same measure that ye mete (use) withal (with that) it shall be measured to you again.’ (Luke 6:38)
Yeh friends, whatever measure you use to give, be it a teaspoon, a tablespoon, or a shovel, the same one will be used to give back to you. And please notice I didn’t say that eh; it was Jesus. So if you don’t believe Him, then I don’t know who you’ll believe. Now, from personal experience, I know that the principle is very true. But you will never know for yourself until you try it. Much LOVE!
…as Granny use to say…the more you give…the more you get…
SCRIP-BITS 