Cycle

From 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 (NIV)

But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality...

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.


God seems to really like "cycles."

There is a beautiful elegance to these neatly intertwined, cause-and-effect cycles of life.

For instance, Paul points out to the Corinthians in today's scripture, God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others.

Those acts of giving and Christian charity show thankfulness and bring glory to God, who was the original giver...the real source of all generosity.

It's a cycle.

And it's a shame for us to break the beauty of that chain.

God's desire is for balance...that his children would have neither too little, nor too much.

And the amazing part is that he allows us to participate.

The sun gives energy to the plants that feed us. Eventually, all things return to the soil through which God makes us. These cycles of God's design are all around us.

When we learn to "excel in giving," we help others see how good life lived in harmony with God can really be.

Prayer: We pray that our hearts would turn to you, so that our hands will be regulated by the truth of love that we learn. May giving flow naturally from hearts that overflow with your abundance.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Luke 6:38