But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. ” In Proverbs 11:24-26, we read: "Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want. A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water. The people curse those who hold back grain, but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it." In his third letter to the Saints then living at Corinth, Paul draws on this passage from the book of Proverbs to make his point about commitments, about generosity, and about how we can "bind God" because of promises He has made to us—if we will be faithful to Him.
The Christians living in Corinthian had made a commitment to give generously to meet the needs of Christians who lived in Jerusalem (and who were struggling greatly). In our passage for today, Paul explains why giving matters for the givers, but also for those who are the recipients. As any farmer knows, a larger harvest typically requires a larger planting. So, says Paul, the one who sows "less seed" can expect to have "less gain" or a smaller "harvest." On the other hand, the one who "plants" the most will surely have the most "bountiful yield."
Paul is trying to help the Corinthians to understand that when they hold back their blessings, and do not share them with others, they are really holding back future blessings from themselves. While he's not encouraging selfishness, or giving for the wrong reasons, he is clearly saying, in essence, "Listen to me friends. If you think by not giving, you'll have more, you clearly don't understand how this works. If you want God to continue to bless you, and to do so abundantly, then you need to open up your hearts and your purses and give generously. If you do so, I promise you that God will pour out blessings upon you."
Like Paul, Malachi taught that when we give, God "opens the windows of heaven for us and pours down for us an overflowing blessing" (Malachi 3:10). It's not just about money. It is about giving of our "stuff," of our time, of our skills, and of our love. As we do so, God cannot withhold His blessings from us, and from those we seek to serve, because God is good, and always faithful to His word!
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
