by Jesse Abel
Thoughts from Papa “J”
There seems to be a “petition epidemic” in our country these days. Every .org and every bleeding heart wants your petition and contribution. While the agenda or item of interest is a blight or cancer in our society and needs corrective action. Most petitions are simply ploys to get more funding and continued noise making. Thus I like Proverbs 15:8 Prayer works better than a wicked sacrifice.
Good Morning
2 Corinthians 9:1-5 – Continuing on with these verses, we hear time and again for men and women and families to give; not grudgingly, nor of necessity, for God loves a “cheerful giver”. Previously we looked at a few of the obstacles that clutter the pathway to give to God in the only way that brings glory to Him and blessing to us. Obstacles will never go away and one way to approach this fact is to praise and thank God for the obstacle. No doubt, you have heard that before too!
Giving to God is necessary; here in 1 Corinthians 9:7 most of us only hear the last half of the verse; NOT GRUDGINGLY OR OF NECESSITY, FOR GOD LOVES A CHEEFUL GIVER. The whole verse is quoted and comment is made, yet we overlook: “so let each one give as he purposes in his heart”. What does this first part of the verse reveal that we often overlook. For me it reveals that the giving of one’s self is the firstfruits of giving. This thought is well established in the earlier chapter.
The prospect of giving and the thought of prosperity in giving are difficult subjects to convey from the pulpit, difficult to write about and difficult to place for us to place in the heart. The truth is that all of the Living Word of God is difficult to place in the heart when the purpose of doing so is not established first. James speaks in his epistle this way. “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save (deliver) your soul (through the obstacles). James 1:21 and you can read on through verse 27.
The words that James uses; “filthiness and wickedness” may not seem to you and me as filthy or wicked intentions at all, but whatever is in the heart that takes the place of God’s “purpose” at that moment of decision steals the joy of giving and stirs up the “grudge”. Also, all of us enjoy the results of answered prayer, I have never met anyone who after a prayer in giving say; “gee, I hope God will not answer my prayer because I need these funds for something else” this would certainly be grudging and show a lack of a cheerful countenance.
No doubt we will cover more of this on Monday since it is such an important thought. Not only in giving to God but within the context of blessing in all things that pertain to the grace of God. Grace is a primary subject within our context of scripture, notice verse 8; God is able to make all grace abound toward YOU. There is grace just in the reading of these words in verse 8. Why? Simply because the verse explodes in many references of the Holy Bible that promises that God will meet all of our needs in or through His Son who is our Righteous standing before God. Matthew 6:1-34
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