Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CCh - Counsels for the Church (1991) Chapter 48—Counsels on Stewardship
God Evaluates Gifts by the Love Which Prompts the Sacrifice
The reward of whole-souled liberality is the leading of mind and heart to a closer fellowship with the Spirit.510 {CCh 277.4}
Paul lays down a rule for giving to God’s cause, and tells us what the result will be both in regard to ourselves and to God. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” “This I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: ... Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.511 {CCh 277.5}
He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. We have all heard this before. So, we cannot allow ourselves to measure the cost of giving but rather the cost of not giving. God loves a cheerful giver, and when we give back to God, He will make all grace abound and multiply the seeds sown and increase the fruits of our righteousness, enriching us bountifully in everything. The reward for our liberality will be a closer fellowship with the spirit. So, let’s give thanks to God by cheerfully returning His portion of what we have been blessed with.
Our Father in Heaven,
We thank You once again for giving us this privilege and honor of being co laborers with You. We cheerfully give back to You for the furtherance of Your cause, that the harvest may be bountiful. May You bless our giving and may we continue to abound in every good work. May we obtain a closer fellowship with You. Keep us faithful in our giving. We thank You for all the blessings You have bestowed upon us and providing for all our needs. We are sorry and humbly repent of all our sins and we ask for the forgiveness of our sins. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers according to Your will. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen
Kommentarer