You Reap What You Sow

Take a moment to read Sunday's Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.
If you are not within reach of a Bible, click the Scripture reference to read online.

Rev. Bonnie Osteen began Commitment Sunday by reminding us of our mission statement:

Gather others to Christ.

Grow in faith as disciples.

Give back to God.

Go into the world.

She also reminded us that God doesn't have a complicated giving scale similar to the tax law. He has a flat rate: 100%. We are to give ourselves 100% all day every day, every place, every word spoken, every action taken.

One-hundred percent. Does your heart ache at the thought of giving 100%? Mine does.

My flesh longs to be tightfisted. Even though I know what His Word says, and I know I will reap what I sow, the thought of surrendering all just hurts!

This is the point: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and whoever sows bountifully, will also reap bountifully.

2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV

What causes us to sow sparingly?

Fear?

Laziness?

Doubt?

Cost?

It takes boldness and faith to sow bountifully.

I'm reminded of a vision I had driving into the church parking lot one day. A hand. An open hand with gold coins dropping into it, then overflowing out of the hand. Then I saw the hand close. With a closed hand no more coins could drop in, they just bounced off.

Fear of scarcity, is one of the things that causes us to close our hand, be tightfisted.

But God, He deals bountifully with those who are His and follow His way. There should be no fear when it comes to giving, either as individuals or as a corporate body.

...Your ways overflow with plenty.

Psalm 65:11 HCSB

We each have a choice in our giving: Sparingly... or... Bountifully...

One, most likely, a reaction to fear. The other based on faith.

What kind of sower are you, when it comes to investing in His Kingdom?

And God is able to make all grace abound to you,

so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times,

you may abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV

Father God, You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Remind me that all fear, except fear of You, comes from the enemy.

Fuel my faith to be open-handed and trust Your guidance when it comes to giving:

prayers, time, service, gifts, and my witness.

Carol Weaver