Context: Paul has spent a large portion of his letter explaining why it is important to be generous in giving to others.
Text:
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.
12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs
of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise
God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ,
and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in
their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing
grace God has given you. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I'm especially convicted by yesterday's lesson about taking verses out of context. I know that I often send out just a couple of verses that were thought provoking for the day . . . I hope that I do not insinuate false meaning to them in these short devotions! Please do not take my interpretations as truth; they are merely the thoughts that I had while prayerfully considering a particular text.
Today's text was part of my regular reading assignment and coincides with an article I read on Yahoo this morning. Beware -- I feel a rant coming on!
There are a lot of people who are having very difficult times right now, and my heart goes out to them. They have lost jobs, had medical conditions that required expensive treatments that weren't covered by insurance, or have had other tragedies befall them. In addition, there are many people who got caught up in the credit frenzy, buying things they wanted but couldn't afford . . . including large homes. Both situations are difficult to be stuck in, but our society is so set on a particular life style that we forget about the rest of the world.
In the article I read today (can be found at http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/106623/Save-Hundreds-on-Your-Favorite-Splurges), a survey reports the number of Americans who insist they would not give up the following things despite their financial problems:
internet service - 81%
cell phones - 64%
cable/satellite - 61%
discount clothing (Kohls/Target) 43%
haircuts/color at a salon - 40%
eating out at fast food restaurants - 37%
eating out at casual sit-down restaurants - 30%
I didn't see tithing or charitable giving on this list -- often it's the first thing to go. It's frustrating to see what we thing are requirements in our lives these days.
God says that he will provide for those in need, and if you notice he says that the way he provides is by asking his people who have to give to those who have not. There are many in our own neighborhoods who HAVE cut back everything and are still unable to buy sufficient food to make it through the month. And many of us say we can't give because we don't have anything left over at the end of the month.
How could we as Christians set an example for others by giving up something in order to give others more? I know our church doesn't celebrate Lent like some others do, by giving up a life pleasure. But what if we did? How much could our church give if we all gave up cable for just two months? Even if 500 families would do this and saved $50/month, that would be $50,000!!!!
Would you give up your cable for two months to give to those who don't have enough to eat?
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