Reap Bountifully

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NKJV)

A thorn in the flesh was given to me ... Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV)

Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation!
(Psalms 68:19 NKJV)

God's very first command (even before the one about the fruit) was "Be fruitful and multiply." Everywhere in His creation, God provides abundance to sow and reap bountifully—in the seed of plants, in the seed of man, in the seed of the Word of God sown by the parable's Sower.

The God who daily loads us with benefits does so not merely as blessing because He loves us, but so that the abundance He provides may be used to sow and reap bountifully for Him and His glory. He instructs us to be fruitful, and gives us the means to do so.

His provision is not only the material blessings and talents (spiritual gifts) we receive from Him, but especially in the afflictions He allows. It is in our weakness, infirmity, and affliction that the power of Christ may rest upon us with greatest strength, with potential for greatest gain.

Father, You are the Potter, we are the clay. Your refining fire both purifies us and makes us useful vessels for You. Please enable us to shrink back from neither the fire nor from the pain of affliction, but to give thanks for Your supply of what enables us to reap most bountifully.

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Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy