We are constantly bombarded by adverts selling a perceived need. Money in this world view has one purpose – to be consumed.
The Bible shows us that money is in fact dynamic, active and powerful. It has the ability to shape our thinking and our hearts.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6 the Apostle Paul says these well-known words:
“Remember this – the farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop, But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” (NLT)
The whole context of this particular part of the Bible is financial giving and generosity and it seems that what Paul is saying is that God supplies both seed (money) and bread (for our daily needs). So we can trust that our needs will always be met:
“And the same God who takes care of me will supply al your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NLT)
So we know that God is going to provide for our needs, and that may be in the form of money or in other ways, and he is going to give us seed.
But seed and bread are completely different.
Bread can be eaten immediately, has a limited shelf life and has limited uses.
Seed on the other hand is completely different. Wheat seeds can be used for more than one thing. They can be ground down into flour and, through a process of baking, create bread. Or that seed could be sown into the ground to produce even more seed.
So the question really comes down to how we see money. Do we see money as something to be consumed or something to be sown?
The real goal is, as 2 Corinthians 9:6 teaches us, to “enlarge the harvest of your righteousness”. When we see money in the right way through generous eyes, as seed to be sown, and we sow that seed, into good causes, that seed produces even more seed which becomes “the harvest of your righteousness”.
So how will we view money from this point on? Is money just bread to be eaten or seed that can make a real, eternal difference?
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Generous God,
Creator, reedemer, sustainer,
We offer this money,
a symbol of the work you have given us to do,
use it, use us,
in the service of your work
to the glory of your name.
Amen
