Questions about money always ultimately become an issue of the heart
By Dean Collins
It’s not about the money. It’s more about the heart. And if you consider Paul’s words in light of the whole of Scripture and especially the example of Jesus, then the principle relates to nearly everything and not just our wallets.
The context of Paul’s words was about a financial need in the Jerusalem church. Paul was sending advance notice of the need so that the broader community of faith would have an opportunity to participate in meeting the need. After a brief description of the need in Jerusalem and the timing of meeting the need through a gift, Paul makes it clear that the response of the believers in Corinth is a matter of the heart. He spelled it out with this opening line: “The point is this…” It was not simply an intellectual nor a financial matter. It was a principle that applies to every action and is determined in the heart before it is expressed financially or in any way.
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
Paul wasn’t giving a farming tip, and he was not speaking to a bunch of gardeners. But he was explaining a principle that every gardener knows: If you don’t sow seed you can’t have a harvest. We also can remember one of the stories Jesus told about scattering seed. Some seed falls in good soil, but lots of seed fails to produce because it is spread on rocks, among the weeds, or in untilled soil. Paul is reminding that what we offer to God isn’t accidental; it is central to our faith, our gratitude, and our love for God and for others. Again listen to Paul’s words:
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
The same principle is true for you as it is for me and for everyone else. We make our choices from the heart. I am pretty sure we can and should apply this verse to other areas of our lives and at the same time not allow ourselves a free pass on our financial giving.
If I plant seeds of anger and judgment, then I will receive the same in return.
If you sow seeds of kindness, then you will receive kindness in return.
If I sow selfishness and arrogance, I will receive back the same.
If you sow love, grace, and mercy then the same will come back to you.
The principle is true regardless of the type of seed we use. It’s not just about money, but what we do with our money matters not just to us but also to God and to those with needs around us.
And God will not abandon, reject or forget us when we sow generously. Paul’s word’s again:
“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. “
We often think of percentage growth and total return when we consider our financial investments. How would you like these returns: abundant grace, sufficiency in everything, and good production from everything you do? Paul did not indicate any dollar amounts that may or may not come, but he spoke to things far more important. He is speaking to the very essence of our relationships with self, with others, and with God. Paul quotes from Psalm 112 to remind us that what he is saying isn’t new but from old and from God:
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
Paul gives us assurance that we are not in this life alone, but rather God is sufficient and will provide every need so that we can freely share with others. Paul gave us a list to consider.
God supplies seed to the sower
God supplies bread for food
He will supply our seed and multiply it so we can see a bigger harvest because of planting more seed
We will be enriched in every way
We will become generous in every way
We will produce gratitude in others and develop it in ourselves
We will finally learn the inexpressible gift of Jesus
I don’t know if anyone will ask you or me for a gift today. If they do, I hope we all can give according to our hearts. But even if you aren’t asked for a financial contribution, I suspect there will be many opportunities to reach into your seed bag and sow some kindness, grace, mercy, and love. And when we plant such seeds, only goodness and mercy will flow and follow us all the days of our lives. Chances are good that the seed we sow will change not just our hearts but the hearts of many for eternity.
Your time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 ESV
Photo by micheile dot com on Unsplash
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