2 Corinthians 9
Giving is good. Generosity is a
wonderful experience.
Giving is an expression of love. It was
love that motivated God to provide us with the things we need for this life. It
is love that moves us to give back to God and to help our neighbor. And if that
weren’t enough, Paul reminds us that giving also has rewards. He says, “Whoever
sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also
reap generously.”
This is a passage that a lot of
televangelists have twisted. It is true that when we give with joy and gladness
in our hearts that God blesses us and we will be rich. The televangelists take
that word “rich” and teach that it means material wealth. That is not the case.
Money and material wealth are temporary. On the last day they will be destroyed.
However, the richness God gives is eternal.
God’s riches do not spoil. His riches blessings
like peace, love, joy, and faith – especially faith. A person who serves might
be called rich – whether they have money or not. A family with children and
love under its roof is rich. Remember, in God’s economy a woman who gave less
than a penny was said by Jesus to have given more than all the others.
And why does God bless us and make us
rich? “So that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your
generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
Look at the love God has for us! He gave
us life and this world we live in. When we sinned He gave his only begotten
Son, and Jesus gave his life to win us forgiveness. Jesus also gave us gifts to
bring that forgiveness to us – God’s Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. He
also gave us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us faith, wisdom, comfort,
and spiritual fruit in our lives.
Our God likes to
give. It gives him joy to bless his children. Give is part of who we are – like
Father like child. Se we give – cheerfully, freely, not reluctantly, not under
compulsion, but for the joy of it . . . .
Father, I know that I am a poor miserable
sinner, but in Christ I am also rich in blessings of forgiveness, joy, and
eternal life. Help me share my wealth
with others so they may be rich in Christ, too.
Amen.
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