DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE JOY OF GIVING, PART 2

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE JOY OF GIVING, PART 2

"But this I say: He who sows sparing will also reap sparing, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God love a cheerful giver." (II Corinthians 9:6-7).

In Chapter 9, the Apostle continued his exhortation to the Corinthians to live up to the promise that they had made (vs. 5). He gives some additional principles of giving that are still applicable today.

First, the law of the harvest says that the reaping depends on how much is sown (vs. 6). What a farmer reaps in the time of harvest will be in proportion to how much he planted. If the farmer is stingy with his seed when he plants, he will have a smaller harvest than the farmer who sowed liberally. It depends on how much the farmer wants in his harvest.

Secondly, it is to be an intentional and personal thing between the giver and God (vs. 7a). Each person is to give "as he purposes in his heart" – not in comparison to what others give.  We purpose in our hearts as the Holy Spirit prompts us.

Thirdly, giving is to be from a joyful heart (vs. 7b). To be acceptable to God, it is not to be given grudgingly or out of duty or obligation but with a free spirit.

The Apostle ends this section of Scripture with the joyous exultation: Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!! Jesus gave all that He had to provide for our forgiveness and salvation. And He did it for the joy that was set before Him – the harvest of souls. Praise be to Jesus!

Love,  Dad