2 Corinthians 9:6-15
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[with blessings] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency[contentment] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 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. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
It is difficult in this economy and job uncertainty to give generously. Churches in our area have cut back on the number of people employed, some of them have been Church employees for almost all their adult lives. Perhaps it would be best to cut salaries instead of staff, asking people if they want and need Church employment.
Two weeks ago we traveled to North Carolina across Interstate 10 on a Sunday morning and my husband & I watched with trepidation as each Church approached. By 9:30 and 10 a.m. - we saw very few Churches with more than 6 cars. We hoped their services had not begun yet and we were seeing Church staff arriving to open up the Church for choir directors and Sunday School leaders.
By about 11 a.m we saw Churches were packed, towards the bigger cities.
My brother called me once to ask us, did we regret giving a used car to our Church. I was really rather surprised he remembered, it had been about 10 years. I said, no we were glad to have given. He said he was glad to hear that given that our younger son did not have a car given to him and our older son had been given a car. I said yes, I was sorry for the imbalance, but the car was given in better economic times. Man, later I hated he asked, I felt a bit bitten.
This summer, my eldest son gave the car, (his 2nd car) that he earned, to my younger son. He said he hoped his parents would be glad for the new tires he'd put on the car and would we be willing to jazz up his red, two door, car for his younger brother as a gift. My mom has a boyfriend, who is a lovely man. A neighbor of ours when I was a child & his hobby is antique cars. He and my mother have worked for a month to make sure our younger son's car will be beautiful for him.
The man at the insurance agency looked at me and said, he'd Never Give a car to a sibling. It was too large a gift. My older son had misty eyes as he spoke of his gift and the desire to have the car buffed up before it was given. 2 months ago, Cal found the Lord again. It would be difficult to say which came first - the gift or the belief.
Thanks be to Father God. Answered prayer.
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It is difficult in this economy and job uncertainty to give generously. Churches in our area have cut back on the number of people employed, some of them have been Church employees for almost all their adult lives. Perhaps it would be best to cut salaries instead of staff, asking people if they want and need Church employment.
Two weeks ago we traveled to North Carolina across Interstate 10 on a Sunday morning and my husband & I watched with trepidation as each Church approached. By 9:30 and 10 a.m. - we saw very few Churches with more than 6 cars. We hoped their services had not begun yet and we were seeing Church staff arriving to open up the Church for choir directors and Sunday School leaders.
By about 11 a.m we saw Churches were packed, towards the bigger cities.
My brother called me once to ask us, did we regret giving a used car to our Church. I was really rather surprised he remembered, it had been about 10 years. I said, no we were glad to have given. He said he was glad to hear that given that our younger son did not have a car given to him and our older son had been given a car. I said yes, I was sorry for the imbalance, but the car was given in better economic times. Man, later I hated he asked, I felt a bit bitten.
This summer, my eldest son gave the car, (his 2nd car) that he earned, to my younger son. He said he hoped his parents would be glad for the new tires he'd put on the car and would we be willing to jazz up his red, two door, car for his younger brother as a gift. My mom has a boyfriend, who is a lovely man. A neighbor of ours when I was a child & his hobby is antique cars. He and my mother have worked for a month to make sure our younger son's car will be beautiful for him.
The man at the insurance agency looked at me and said, he'd Never Give a car to a sibling. It was too large a gift. My older son had misty eyes as he spoke of his gift and the desire to have the car buffed up before it was given. 2 months ago, Cal found the Lord again. It would be difficult to say which came first - the gift or the belief.
Thanks be to Father God. Answered prayer.
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