Thursday 9 Jan 2014

Thursday Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:6
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Devotion:
I have heard these verses used in so many ways when church leaders want more out of their flock but this is not where I see us being lead. Many people will tell us how these verse apply directly to giving money to churches out of love, but I believe it goes much further than that. Giving is not just about money, possessions or other physical things; giving is about being willing to give what you have, be it physical or spiritual.

When we say that we love someone we should not require a return to the love that we give. When we say that we want to do something for someone we should not look for a reward for what we have done; that is duty, not love. People who demand recognition for what they are doing are doing things out of duty and not out of love and need to stop and think about where they are going and what they are committing themselves to. I know that I am guilty about wanting reward for things that I do and I know that I have failed on many occasions because of that, but it does not stop me from trying to do things right!

Christ gave everything with the hope that He could have love in return. That is different to us demanding love in return when we want to show our love to others. A lesson I have learned is that your love needs to be without conditions and without end otherwise it may not be seen as true love.

I quite happily give without expecting rewards because I know that I am able to please others through giving love and support to them; that is enough reward for me just knowing that I have been able to change someone’s life or circumstance for the better. Why should I seek reward for doing what Christ has called me to do? Expecting something in return for what you do will only lead to disappointment because our version of the reward will undoubtedly be different to the other person’s idea of a reward!

Points to Ponder:
Are you constantly seeking reward?

Have you tried just giving?