April 28, 2020
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
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.  As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”
Now 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.  You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

New International Version (NIV)
Eugene Peterson told a beautiful story about a mother bird and her chicks on a tree limb reaching out over the edge of a lake in Montana.  Momma was determined to teach them to fly.  The babies were determined to hold on to the limb.  Their instinct of fear outweighed their willingness to use their gifts.  Momma persisted incentivizing them with her bill until they let go.  Just as birds never realize their purpose until they let go and fly, so also Peterson said, humans never realize our purpose until we let go of things and give.

Paul could certainly have simplified his teaching to the Corinthian church on the subject of giving by referencing a great Old Testament verse about tithing.  Like the bumper sticker on a car I saw, “If you love Jesus, tithe.  Anyone can honk.”  True as far as it goes, but it doesn’t go far enough.  Why would you and I give to others who are in need?  Why would we give to the Lord’s work in the world?  Paul roots his New Testament teaching on giving in the story of God’s grace shown brilliantly in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus.  If Jesus was willing to give up his position in heaven and his life to give us life, we may follow in his steps and give to others, as well.

In the end, the New Testament goes beyond the Old Testament teaching of keeping a commandment to a whole new way of living through giving.  It is enough to give because God says so.  It is better to give because God has transformed us into grateful people who simply must give to express our gratitude to God.  We either live our lives to store things up to secure our own “nests,” or we give our lives away trusting God. 

In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul explains our confidence:  God is able.  God is able to bless us abundantly.  And why?  So that in all things, at all times, having all we need, we abound in every good work.   Truly, God takes care of us.  The point is not just that we will have all we need.  Actually, the point is that having all we need we abound in good works.  We not only should give, but we need to fulfill our God-given purpose.  Like birds need to fly, we need to give.  One of my friends put it this way, “Pastor, before I became a believer, I worried that you and others would ask me to give.  Then I realized what God had done for me in Christ.  Now I can’t give enough.  Giving away God’s gifts to me is my greatest joy.”

Pray with me:         
Father, we love the way you give us life.  We especially thank you for giving us new birth through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus.  Let our gratitude flow through us in gracious giving.  Show us the joy of our Master’s words, “It is happier . . . more blessed to give than to receive.”  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:36-37
And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.  All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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