9-7-11 Wednesday 6:24 am Springfield, 45 degrees (new overnight record low of 44!)
It is a fresh and cool morning. I will run 3 before I get ready for the day. I find that with my typical Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday schedule it is difficult to carve out time to exercise. This week my schedule is more unusual with the weekend in O’Fallon, and the visit today from our coach Doug Anderson.
II Corinthians 9
Paul discusses the collection he is spearheading for the Christians in Palestine. He explains that their generosity has spurred the Macedonians to likewise give unselfishly in this offering. He will send the brothers to Corinth to collect this promised offering, and wants them to be prepared to present it, and not have it seem like extortion. In this chapter Paul provides excellent teaching on giving: “the one who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will reap bountifully” (9:6) “God loves a cheerful giver” (Verse 7). “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness” (Verse10).
Paul was dealing with the challenge of meeting the needs of believers whose economic livelihood was jeopardized by their faith in Christ. His approach was to collect funds from believers in other parts of the world who were more prosperous. Today the world is flat, and there are so many known opportunities to help people, and the need is overwhelming. I appreciate our United Methodist connection and the opportunities to support the work of Jesus’ followers in under resourced areas of the world. We are personally involved in Honduras and Mozambique, along with Springfield, Joplin and across Missouri.
Guide me today Lord as I practice generosity and live this day sowing bountifully, giving cheerfully, and trusting You to supply and multiply my seed for sowing, resulting in an increase in the harvest of righteousness.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment