2 Corinthians -- God's Blessing

Read 2 Corinthians 8-9 (yes, we skipped 6-7, you can go back and read them if you want!).
Today's Devotion -- 2 Cor 9:6-11
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com

In the news this morning I saw that the OPEC countries have decided to reduce production amounts, which will lead to more increases in the cost of gasoline (NOTE: Remember yesterday's devotion? Don't take my word for it or panic over this info...check it out for yourself to be sure I'm reporting correctly!). Of course this may lead to additional increases in the cost of other things we buy, like food and household supplies. Unfortunately, no ones' income is rising at the same rate.

When your expenses increase and your income doesn't, how do you balance your household budget? Do you cut back on extras like eating out, cable/satellite, and fun things like entertainment, gifts, and vacation? Do you increase the amount you charge on credit cards? Or do you cut back on your saving and giving?

It sounds like people in the Macedonian churches and the one in Corinth were dealing with difficult financial situations, too. In fact, Paul talks about the Macedonian churches giving out of their extreme poverty and they saw it as a privilege to share.

God doesn't intend for us to go into debt to pay our tithes, but he does intend for us to live within the income level he's provided. Sometimes that means we have to make tough decisions about what and where we eat, what we drive, and even where we live. Often our choices define our circumstances, but we continue our costly habits while we hurt our future by not saving anything and increasing our debt. And we stop giving God back a portion of what he's given us.

God promises that he will give us what we need (but not necessarily what we want). However, we have to be responsible with what he gives so we can honor him with the way we live. This passage gives us two promises we can count on
-- he will make all grace abound in us so that in ALL things at ALL times we have ALL we need so we can abound in every good work (presuming we use it wisely), and
-- We will be made rich in every way so we can be generous on every occasion.

That doesn't mean we get increased income (although he can do that if he wants), but it means we will always have enough to share. How is he asking you to share today?

SHAMELESS PLUG: If you are having difficulty making ends meet or would like to find ways to give what you would really like to give, a new Financial Peace University class will be starting this Sunday. Send me a note and I can give you more information. This class isn't just for folks who are in debt (although it helps immensely if you are), it can help you plan ways to give, save, and prepare for the future while enjoying what you make today. More information is available at www.daveramsey.com.