2020-11-20
2 Korintiërs 9:6 NLV
Jou finansiële oes word deur dit wat jy spandeer, dit wat jy spaar en dit wat jy in God se koninkryk saai, bepaal. Jou toekoms begin met dit wat jy tans in jou hand het. Niks is te min om te vermeerder nie. Elkeen van ons het iets van God ontvang wat in staat is om te vermeerder; die geheim is om dit in sy hande te plaas. Hy het gesê: ‘…Ek is die Here jou God wat jou leer wat vir jou reg is…’ (Jesaja 48:17 NLV).
In die Nuwe Testament het Jesus die vissermanne geleer hoe om meer vis te vang (sien Lukas 5:1-11). Op een geleentheid het Hy selfs vir sy dissipels gesê waar om geld te kry om hulle belasting te betaal (sien Matteus 17:27). Hy het ons geleer dat om te gee en nie terug te hou nie, die manier is om dit wat vir jou gegee is, te vermeerder (sien Lukas 6:38). Soms is jou saadjie die enigste manier uit die moeilikheid uit, maar jy moet gewillig wees om dit te saai.
Jesus het vir mense gewys waar om geld te vind. Wanneer hulle misluk het, het Hy hulle gemotiveer om op te staan en weer te probeer – en sy metodes te gebruik. Hy het vir hulle gesê dat God hulle onfeilbare bron is en hulle aangemoedig om te verwag dat hulle ‘n oes vir elke saad wat hulle saai, sou ontvang.
Paulus sê: ‘…God het die blymoedige gewer lief. En God is in staat om aan julle elke gawe in oorvloed te gee sodat julle in elke opsig altyd van alles genoeg kan hê én ook nog oorvloedig kan wees in elke goeie werk’ (2 Korintiërs 9:7-8 NLV). As jy saai, sal jy oes! Dis so eenvoudig!
Sielskos: 2 Kro 8-11; Joh 12:12-19; Ps 102:1-11; Spr 27:7-9
2 Corinthians 9:6 NLT
When the Bible talks about sowing and reaping, it can make us think of farmers gathering in the crops that they’ve planted and nurtured. But the idea of sowing and reaping can be applied to so many areas of our lives.
We might have a talent for something, and by sowing into it through practice and taking time to refine it, we reap the reward of being able to use that talent for God’s glory, and maybe even of earning a living doing something we love. We sow time into our relationships, and can reap the reward of close, lasting friendship. We might be able to invest money into something, and reap a profit later on. We sow seeds of faith by seeking God and reading His Word, and reap the reward of complete confidence and trust in Him. The idea is that when we sow in faith, and in line with God’s will, we’ll get back more than we put in.
Paul says, ‘God loves people who love to give. God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others’ (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 CEV). God wants us to succeed, to have the resources needed to fulfil His will, and help others do the same. But if we’re putting our time and effort into the wrong things, sowing and reaping can work against us. Proverbs 22:8 says: ‘Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster’ (NLT).
What have you been sowing into recently? What’s your harvest going to be? Our future begins with what we have right now. Nothing is too little to multiply. Every one of us has received something from God that’s capable of multiplying; the secret is putting it into His hands.
2 Chr 8-11; John 12:12-19; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 27:7-9
2 Corinthians 9:6 NLT
Your financial harvest is determined by what you spend, what you save, and what you sow into God’s kingdom. The Bible teaches that consecutive sowing guarantees consecutive reaping. Your future begins with what you have in your hand right now. Nothing is too little to multiply. Every one of us has received something from God that is capable of reproducing; the secret is putting it into His hands. He wants us to succeed, to have the resources needed to fulfill His will, and help others do the same. He said, “I am the Lord…which teacheth thee to profit” (Isaiah 48:17 KJV).
In the New Testament Jesus taught fishermen how to catch more fish (See Luke 5:1-11). On one occasion He even told His disciples where to find money to pay their taxes (See Matthew 17:27). He taught that giving, not withholding, is the way to multiply what’s been given to you (See Luke 6:38). Sometimes your seed is your only way out of trouble, but you must be willing to sow it.
Here are the facts of Scripture. Jesus showed people where money could be found. And when they failed at something, He motivated them to get up and try again – using His methods. He told them God was their unfailing source of supply, and encouraged them to expect a harvest on every seed they sowed.
Paul says, “God loves people who love to give. God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 CEV). Bottom line: If you sow, you’ll reap! It’s that simple!
Soul food: 2 Chr 8-11; John 12:12-19; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 27:7-9
2020-11-19
Lamentations 3:25 NLT
If you’re struggling spiritually today, here are three thoughts that will help you:
First, realize that doing God’s will isn’t supposed to be easy. Satan, your Enemy, gives up nothing without a fight, and anxiety is one of his secret weapons. That’s why the Bible says, “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT). Overcomers aren’t necessarily more educated or more talented than other people, they’re just more persistent. They push beyond the point at which others quit.
Second, believe that God’s will is for your total well-being. You are the offspring of a perfect God, so act like it. His covenant with you is forever, so think like it. Your total well-being is His desire and delight, so live like it. The apostle John wrote: “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John v. 2 KJV).
Third, reach by faith for what God has promised you. Sickness acts like a thief. It can rob you of time with those you love, money that could be used to achieve your goals, and energy needed to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. The prophet Isaiah said, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5 NKJV). At the cross, Jesus purchased everything you need. So rise up in faith today and claim it, because as the Scripture says, “The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.”
Soul food: 2 Chr 5-7; John 12:1-11; Ps 76; Prov 27:4-6
Lamentations 3:25 NLT
There’ll be times when we struggle spiritually. We might feel like we’re not getting anywhere, or wonder why a prayer is going unanswered, or even have doubts about God. It’s hard to go through these times unequipped, so here are three thoughts to help:
1) Realise that doing God’s will isn’t promised to be easy. The enemy doesn’t give up without a fight, and doubt and worry are two of his weapons. The Bible says: ‘Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up’ (Galatians 6:9 NLT). People who experience breakthrough aren’t necessarily the cleverest or the most talented people, but what they do have is persistence. They reach the point where many would give up, and then push beyond it.
2) Believe that God is for your total wellbeing. We’re children of a perfect God, and His promises are with us forever. He’s got our welfare at heart, and His desire is to see us full of joy and thriving. ‘The LORD your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you’ (Zephaniah 3:17 NCV).
3) Reach for what God has promised you. The prophet Isaiah said, ‘Surely he took our pain and bore our suffering…and by his wounds we are healed’ (Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV). At the cross, Jesus paid the price for our salvation and bought us everything we need. So we can rise up in faith and claim it, because ‘the LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.’
2 Chr 5-7; John 12:1-11; Ps 76; Prov 27:4-6
