Gifts Scattered Abroad

September 15

(Psalm 112:6-10 NIV) “Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. {7} He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. {8} His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. {9} He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor. {10} The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.”

(2 Corinthians 9:6-11 NIV) “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. {7} Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. {8} And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. {9} As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." {10} Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. {11} You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

Righteous believers, with steadfast and secure hearts, will be a generous people. They will not fear the future -- their trust is in the Lord. They will not fear their enemies -- they know that victory is assured. They will not necessarily be a wealthy people. In fact, they may be very poor. But God has scattered His gifts among them, and their righteous hearts will have a desire to give generously. In God’s eyes, generous giving has never been about the amount. A widow’s mite can be of more value than the large bequest of a millionaire. The wicked may accumulate great fortune, but their hearts will never be content, for they will never have “enough”. Righteous believers know they have been made rich, regardless of how much they have. Their thankful hearts will scatter the gifts they have been given among those in need and God will be praised. This is our calling. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day