We are only managers

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 &10-15

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 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. As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

What should a person do when he finds himself in a culture of reaping sparingly?  That culture is not a new thing and is found in the workplace, families, in churches, and the best example is in government.  Let me use the U.S. Postal Services as example number one.  With taxpayers pouring millions into it and still it is in the red and cannot compete with a private non-funded business that understands the need to sow bountifully so that they can reap bountifully.  The examples in families, business, and churches could take up the remainder of this paper but then we would miss the point of what the apostle is sharing with us; that we are only managers of what our Father has entrusted to our care.

Many in and out of the church have become slaves to the lender and are not even open to this teaching because they pay no attention to the Scriptures on debt.  In Proverbs 22:7, “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender's slave.”  As a follower of Jesus, this should be the desire of our hearts found in Romans 13:8, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”

If the lust of your flesh has put you in debt are you enjoying the stuff you still owe on, over the contentment of not being in debt?  There is good news, you can be free, it is no different than one who is a slave to food and has allowed it to steal their health, you need to quit putting the wrong stuff in your mouth and reduce the amounts also; and the same goes with your desire for more stuff.

Now what about many of us who have been savers, do you find yourself willing to trust God with what He has put into your trust?  If you trust Him to do all that He has promised, you will find 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 exciting.

Let me share it with you: “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice