Holy Stewardship and Abundant Blessings

I want to share with you a portion of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, but first, a word of caution is in order. It’s not about some nutty ‘get rich with Jesus’ scheme. It is about the abundance of God’s blessings, in all their forms, that come with and through the spiritual discipline of holy stewardship. That stewardship is what the Foundation is all about, and what the stewardship programs in each congregation are supposed to be about. Unfortunately, we have too often taken an opposite and often cynical path that may raise money, but never enough, and fails to open our hearts and lives to the abundance of blessing that God would bestow on us. They are blessings that are ours in the midst of good times and bad, triumph and tragedy. They are, in short, the fullness of life that can be ours in Christ Jesus if we will let it be so.

With that in mind, hear what Paul had to say to the recalcitrant and sometimes miserly Corinthians who were quick to promise and slow to deliver:

2Cor. 9:6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 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. 11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12 for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 13 Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!