Not Like the Dead Sea!

"He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully." 

2 Corinthians 9:6

How wonderful it is that God gives us His secrets generously. We need only to sit like Mary at his feet and listen. How did Saint Paul know that if we sow bountifully, we will reap bountiful fruit? Because he delighted in spending time with God. I can imagine that in one of his missionary journeys, while walking in the fields, the Lord would point out a farmer sowing seeds. "Look at that man and remember this," Saint Paul would hear the Lord tell him. "A farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop."    

Saint Paul passes on this valuable secret in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians, and we get to benefit from it if we practice it. There are many ways to plant seeds to bless others so we in turn will be blessed. We can give time, talent and treasure.  Those who are stingy with these gifts from God will be like the Dead Sea, only receiving, never giving. The Dead Sea is desolate, no fish can thrive in it. Even if fresh water continuously flows into it, it's 9 times saltier than the ocean because there's no water flowing out. The sun just makes the water evaporate and leaves the salt there. 

In 2 Cor. 8:7, Saint Paul exhorts us to "excel in the gracious ministry of giving." God cannot be outdone in generosity! Last April, a brother in our community fell, hit his head and went into a comma. I know that Arnold had been very generous in serving not only his family, brothers and sisters in our community, but he also gave of himself in our outreach for the poor. He had a heart for the poor because he himself used to live among them. When we called for help in medical expenses, there was such an outpouring of love. Brothers and sisters gave time, talent and treasure. A concert was organized, which was very poignant because Arnold's young children played in the orchestra. We held a garage sale and are still holding weekly auctions. And prayers! So many prayers reaching God's ears like incense! Of course God will answer! 

Lord, may I not be like the Dead Sea, only receiving continuously from you! May I have Your heart, Your eyes, and Your ears, to love, to see the need around me and to hear the cries of the people You cherish.