100 Days of HopeSample

Sowing Bountifully

Paul is addressing the church of Corinth in his letter, and in this section is telling the church how he’s been boasting to others about Corinth’s promissory financial gift to the saints. He informs the Corinthians that he’s sending some brothers in advance to collect the money so that it can by given as a willing gift and not later taken as a reluctant exaction.

Since we’re no longer obligated by law to give a certain percentage, Paul spends some time reminding us that “each one must give as he has made up his mind” (vs. 7), and that we shall reap what we sow—an agricultural analogy to receiving what we give. And this is a sound investment for we’ll be reaping from the hands of an all-powerful God who owns all the heavens and all the earth. The harvest promises to be plentiful: all sufficiency in all things at all times and abundance in every good work.

This harvest, however, is directly correlated to the planting. If we sow little, we’ll reap little. If we sow much, we’ll reap much. Reflect on this by asking yourself what’s better: sowing into the grounds of the Almighty Groundkeeper, or storing in the barns of our mortal selves?

Prayer: Lord, give us courage to joyfully sow abundantly and to trust that you are the provider of everything we need.