Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. The Holy Apostle James, Son of Alpheus Polyeleos Feast.
2 Corinthians 9:6-11; 1 Corinthians 4:9-16; Luke 5:1-11; Luke 10:16-21
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
How does one build trust in relationships? We risk time and resources engaging with others. How are we to know that our giving of ourselves will result in the things we care about coming to fruition? When all is said and done, will we be OK?
In today’s reading, St. Paul is guiding the Church at Corinth through this very matter. They had previously expressed a desire to contribute to an apostolic collection for the impoverished Church at Jerusalem. Since then, a lot of conflict happened that could make them second guess their initial loving response.
Paul begins by redirecting them back to their primary relationship – their relationship with God. It is God who provides the goods we steward and share, it is to His love that those who are on the brink of giving are directed, and it is to God’s evident track record of faithfulness that the apostle points.
They are reminded that, in the face of the uncertainty of a harvest, sowers sow as they think best and reap accordingly. The same God attends to spiritual, relational, and other material matters with the same love, provision, and blessing.
As the apostle says, “the point is this”: giving to others is a participation in our relationship with God. If one is having difficulty working out whether and how much to give to others, double check to see that there are no trust issues with God that are getting in the way and then, “each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”