Stewardship is . . . God Supplies Seed.

A farmer knows that a part of his crop must be saved for seed for the following year, otherwise he will not be able to plant the next year. God reminds us that not only does He supply us with all that we need, He will also supply us with the seed we need to sow a new crop. Paul puts it this way, “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” (2 Corinthians 9:10).

Paul’s words to the Corinthians are God’s Words to us today. God provides us with everything. He gives us all we need. He supplies us with seed to sow, or in today’s language, with gifts, talents and abilities to work to make a living. He also supplies us with food to eat, again, in today’s language, He supplies us with the abilities to make a living, to earn money to buy food to eat.

But God does so much more. God also supplies and increases our store of gifts, talents and abilities to work so much so that we are amazed at what He does for us. And God enlarges our harvest of righteousness. Working through the means of Grace, the Word and the Sacraments, the Lord brings us to faith, strengthens us in our faith, gives us forgiveness of sins, life, eternal life and salvation, and keeps us in faith. God gives us these gifts so much that we cannot help but live lives of righteousness. As we live lives of righteousness others see how we are living, they see our witness and they too, are brought to faith in the Lord.

Stewardship, then, becomes more than just an offering in the collection plate, it becomes a way of life, a way of life to the glory of God. And all this is done because it begins with our great God who is the supplier of all our needs. To God be the glory.

40 of 52 © Rev. Ronald A. Bogs