Remember

Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

2 Corinthians 9:6

I know about a man who received one million dollars in recognition for his work in evangelism. He gave every bit of it back to the use of the ministry. I think he must have understood that no price can ever be placed on obeying Christs’ Great Commission. (Matthew 28:16-20)

It isn’t that it would have been sinful for him to be paid for his work. After all, Jesus himself made a provision for his workers to be provided for. (Luke 10:7) (1 Timothy 5:17-18) (1 Corinthians 9:14)

This man and unknown numbers like him, have found their blessing in giving themselves away for the cause of Christ Jesus.

So often, the wicked teachers of the prosperity gospel lie about the meaning of 2 Corinthians 9:6 and other similar passages. They tie material blessings from God to giving money to support their money-making ministries.

Yet, how often do you hear these false teachers and preachers read from the Bible or give the plan of salvation without pleading for a donation from their eager listeners? Many of them do not even have a Bible in their hands when they preach.

Remember

Salvation does not come with a price tag that you and I can afford. Jesus paid the whole ransom for our lost souls. (Ephesians 2:8-10; John 3:16)

So, what does today’s key verse really mean?

Well, there is a group of people from the New Testament that could show you by example. They were called the Macedonians.

Let me tell you about them.

Macedonia was in present day northern Greece. Philippi was a major part of Macedonia, and it was a gateway that led to the spread of the Gospel into Europe.

But Macedonia was a very troubled region. There was social and political unrest that contributed to much suffering and economic distress. This was not an easy place to be a Christian convert.

The Spirit of God inspired Paul and Luke to share the Gospel with eager hearts. The people of Macedonia, though not wealthy, wanted to serve Christ in any way possible. Their faith in Christ and the joy of their salvation could not be quantified by wealth.

What the Macedonians reaped was not prosperity like the charlatan preachers offer today. Rather, they reaped the blessing of joy because they were a part of helping others practically and spiritually and in furthering the spread of the Gospel.

They gave out of their poverty and yet they were always abundantly provided for, so they gave that away, too. And still, they had enough.

It was their joy to watch the Gospel just explode, even beyond their region. They were a great support to Paul and other missionaries.

The best part to them and other believers, even today, is that God’s care for us is perfect. He knows our needs. We don’t have to deplete our bank account to purchase a spiritual blessing. We are told in scripture to give as our heart dictates. That ought to reveal your relationship with Christ. But it is more than your finances. It is your time and your talents, too. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

There is something in the hearts of devoted believers that others never grasp. It’s the tangible awareness of Christ infilling you. When you love, help, and serve others, and celebrate life in Christ with fellow believers, then you can know what the Macedonians understood.

Two stories that came from Macedonia can be found by reading Acts 16. Do remember Lydia? Do you know what she did for a living? She was wealthy, but that became secondary. What about the jailer that almost took his own life? But he didn’t. Find out what happened to his family. Share these stories with your children. They really happened.

Share the Good News in your world!

Isaiah 52:7

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.