Note for 2024/05/30

‭2 Corinthians 9:1-15 KJV‬

[1] For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: [2] for I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. [3] Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: [4] lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. [5] Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. [6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. [7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. [8] And 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: [9] (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: His righteousness remaineth for ever. [10] 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;) [11] being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. [12] For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; [13] whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; [14] and by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. [15] Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.9.1-15.KJV

Let me start with a confession to you my friends. Right now, I have no idea what to write about this chapter today. We are still on the matter of this gift that is being prepared, but I must admit, I have a major disconnect with money. Yes, I know it is needed, like one may need oil for the pan to prepare your food. It is necessary, even to ministries, but I am not a fan of it.

I suppose it is a matter of perspective. Those that are blessed with money can be a source of great help for others. I think that may be part of my disconnect, for what I have seen does not install any confidence in me. Money is part of a system I prefer not to have a part of, for I have seen the result of too much, and the result of too little. Too much, and it installs a false confidence, even a trust that is not good for the soul. Too little, and people become desperate, even criminal. Yes, I have seen the divide between those who have and those that don't. I have seen envy, greed and how one can covet what another has. I have also known a lack that brought one closer to our Creator, because then you see where your help comes from.

But, I must admit, someone must have to give. Someone must pay the store owner. And many are burdened for this cause. Because of money, I have noticed the concept of ownership, and an effort to build up a kingdom that is removed from God's Kingdom. Indeed, I have seen enough to understand when Christ said, it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of GOD. And, you can not serve GOD and Mammon.

But, how do you buy bread for the poor, if there is nothing in your purse? I also remember, that it is written that the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous. Money changes people, both in the lack and in the surplus of it; and mostly, not for good. This viewpoint of mine has helped in so much understanding of what people are suffering in. So as for lack of it, I can confess, all good things are gifts from GOD. I think what has made me most distant from it, is that it does not reflect true wealth, for me wealth is sealed up in the love of GOD.

Look at the world around you. People are obsessed with money and earthly goods. They toil all day long to have more than the next, never having enough to satisfy their soul. And as they succeed in acquiring more and more, then the stress comes on how to secure it, how to invest it and how to grow it even further. When they dwell on profits, they could be dwelling on the Word of GOD. I say they, only because I do not have such aspirations any more. I did, but it did not serve me well at all. No, money installs greed and envy, which the Word speaks out against.

What I have found good about money, is to give. And if money does not change a person for worse, then he shows good stewardship. If a man can be the same with or without, then such a man can be commended. For, if money is all that can be gifted, where is the labor in love? And if then laboring in love, is there no reward?

That being said, at this time, who can still eat without money? It takes a miracle. Everything is exchanged through the coffers of the money lenders. The banking system rules the world, don't you see that? Is he that borrows from another, not indebted to the one that lends?

Read here in the text, the request of Paul is to give freely. A gift is not a loan. And when the gift leaves the hand of the giver, there is no expectation of return. There is no entrapment, no consideration of profit. No! Then the reward is in the joy of helping another. I would much rather give than receive. Yet am I sustained by gifts, and I have gratitude for the mercy of the LORD and the vessels that He chose to send it through. Solomon wrote that to give to the poor is as a loan to GOD. But, that is not the way this world sells it, not at all. Of this world, man is employed to gain from him, and then bombarded with marketing unto consumption. And in greed, this world takes profits on all ends of the system, while man is kept on a hamster wheel of some sort, running eagerly, but going nowhere at all.

When we give, without expectation of return, then the gain is for he who receives. If we lend, we should not seek to profit from it, but instead to seek to help our brother that we love. Always these two poles in life, the love of self against the Word of GOD. If we love our neighbor as ourselves, if we eat, then so should he. But, seeking profits takes from someone else's table to place it on your own. How does that fit into the word of GOD and His commandments?

So was Paul gathering up a gift, to help others and each one asked to give as he is led, freely. See, what we have is permitted to us from GOD, even as He is the giver himself. When we labor, we should labor in love, and permit God to determine our rewards.

So friends, it is not that I have nothing to say on the matter. It is just a topic I prefer to stay neutral on. For all can be used for good, as it can be used for evil. The choice in all matters, between good and evil, is in us. But, the ultimate reward of all our efforts, is with God. So is the reward for sin death, as the reward for righteousness is life.

By our choices, we cast a vote. Day-by-day, we choose life or death. Who is then deceived, but the one who is convinced that GOD has no interest in our doings? Let your choices then resemble that which lends with the promise of life eternal. The gift we received from GOD is life at inception. Permit, then, all life that GOD has given. For if we refuse it for another, we refuse it for ourselves. Refusing it for another is alike a murder in slowmotion, even a suicide of the soul.

Shalom.

Verse of the Day

(YouVersion/Bible Gateway)

‭John 16:13 KJV‬

[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.16.13.KJV

What is then coming? Where are the prophets of our time? Will you recognise them? Will you say, “Amen?” The New Testament has prophecies too,my friends. Where are the warnings that sets Salvation in Jesus Christ as the Good News thereof?

Bonus Reading:

‭Revelation 18:1-24 KJV‬

[1] And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. [2] And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. [3] For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. [4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. [5] For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. [6] Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. [7] How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. [8] Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. [9] And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, [10] standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. [11] And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: [12] the merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, [13] and cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. [14] And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. [15] The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, [16] and saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! [17] For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, [18] and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! [19] And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. [20] Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. [21] And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. [22] And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; [23] and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. [24] And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.18.1-24.KJV

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