Every Rung Goes Higher, Higher

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

 ⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written: 

   "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; 

      his righteousness endures forever." ¹⁰Now 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. ¹¹You 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.

 ¹²This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.  ¹⁵Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

This is the first of three scripture readings being used in our services this weekend.  I don't know any more about what message will be delivered but when I read this passage it hit home hard.  I was always told "you will reap what you sow".  Simple enough, be good or when it comes your time, you will not get back good.  But when I read these verses it really says a whole lot more.

God makes grace abound!  His grace is huge....um....abundant!  God grows our supply and increases our righteousness.  And in the end, God will be praised, you will be prayed for.  His indescribable gift.

Do you hear (see) the motivation in this passage.  It's not just being good so that we will have good happen to us.  It is about  1.) be identified in Christ and 2.) to reap His blessing and 3.) So that God will be praised!  All this given to us by God, Himself because, He wants us to be rich ~ in Him.

I don't know about you, but when I read this yesterday, it just made my heart soar and gave me a desire to serve Him more.  

May His mercies rain -  no -  pour, down up on us.  Go, serve Him.