December 10, 2021
Generosity evidences faith
An excerpt from 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 (NRSV):
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
Reflection from Sarah Kettlewell:
Sowing is hard work. Any gardener or farmer knows, it’s harder to plant from seed than it is to continue growing an already established plant. But here I am, with a giant bag of seeds of love, kindness, and community. I didn’t always know where to plant them or how to take care of them, so I just started planting. Turns out, when you plant seeds of love, kindness, and community, God helps you water them and give them sunshine and they come back in radiant, cheerful abundance. Time to keep on planting!
Yellow button flower from a plant that has been passed down for five generations
For further study and prayer, the readings assigned for today are:
Isaiah 12:2-6; Amos 8:4-12; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Music:
“All Good Gifts” from Godspell, sung by Cameo Humes
“All good gifts around us
are sent from Heaven above;
So thank the Lord for all his love.”