2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (Give, Part 3)

⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
  
Josh and I have been talking about our finances lately: where we need to cut back, where we need to budget more, those kinds of talks.  Always a highlight....

We both want to feel comfortable financially, as most people would, I imagine.  But like most people, we have had some unexpected experiences and expenses come up: many medical bills this year, emergency house repairs, and then just yesterday, in our rush to get to church, Josh backed into someone's car that was parked in our driveway (we will be calling our insurance guys still yet this morning...).  With all these expenses piling up, it often feels that there is just not room to give.  And for goodness sake, definitely not "cheerfully" as the verses above say!

Then, yesterday, as we continued this financial conversation after church, we decided to stop by one of our favorite pizza places for lunch, and we saw a waitress we hadn't seen since the spring.  She was skinnier and more gaunt then when we'd last seen her.  Josh smiled and said, "Well, hi!  We haven't seen you for a while!  Have you been busy with school?"  To which she replied frankly, "No, I've been having treatment since March.  I have stage 4 cancer."  

Speechless.  And here she was working to pay her medical bills.

Suddenly, the sum of mine paled in comparisson.

And then the crunched car in the driveway and the house-repair expenses didn't seem so bad either.

I'm sorry, Lord.



Sometimes we just need a little perspective.

These verses do remind us that God will generously provide all we need, and He has.  All of us in this country have far more than we need -- and plenty leftover to share with others.  Because let's be honest, I need food to eat, but it doesn't have to be from a certain place that I like.  I need shelter, but it doesn't have to have cleaned carpets and seasonally-themed decor.  

In our corner of the world, it's so easy for me to mix up the needs with the wants.

I have so much more than I need, plenty to share with others, and sometimes I just need a reminder about that.

And it's when I remember my abundance that I am overwhelmed with gratitude and want to give.  I do have much, and I love to give much.  And wouldn't you know, I even feel cheerful about it?  Very, very cheerful.

Take some time to remember your abundance this morning.  Thank God for what He has generously given you in all areas of you life, and see if you aren't more inclined to give it away today. 



Molly Monroe