November 4, 2019
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
New International Version (NIV)
Even though I come from a long line of farmers, I have not had much success with plants.  A few years ago I picked up cherry tomato plants at the Randall’s and planted them in my back yard.  It seemed like a no-lose proposition, really.  After all there were already tomatoes on the plants.  It turned out to be harder than I thought.  In the whole season I picked about one bowl full of cherry tomatoes.  There was not even enough for me and my small family.  My friends Mike and Bob who also plant, sometimes bring me big beautiful tomatoes.  Any one of those tomatoes was more than the whole bowl I picked.

Life really is about planting.  Again and again the Bible says, “whatever you sow, you will reap.”  This is true whether or not we believe it.  It can be a painful truth to learn.  Paul told the Corinthians if you sow sparingly you reap sparingly.  A few small plants don’t produce many tomatoes.  If you sow generously you will reap generously.  Like my friends who have enough tomatoes to bless many others.

In the same way, what we believe about God shapes the way we live.  Is God a grudging God looking to take something from us, or is God a giving God longing to give something to us?  Paul wants us to know that God is able and willing to bless us.  When he does we will have all we need at all times in all things.  (That is a lot of “alls.”)  Why does God bless us?  So that we will be blessed?  “You will abound in every good work.”  God blesses us so that we will be a blessing.  He gives us the seeds we need.  Will we plant them today?  When we bless others we will be blessed!
Pray with me:      
Father, thank you for blessing us abundantly so that we have all things we need at all times.  You are such a great Giver.  Now help us to trust the seeds of love you have planted in our lives.  Help us to plant freely so that we can harvest greatly and give generously to others.  Don’t let us miss this blessing.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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