Abundance and need

James Cathcart July 05, 2018 0 0

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2 Corinthians 8: 7-15

7 Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

8 I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10 And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— 11 now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. 13 I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14 your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. 15 As it is written,

‘The one who had much did not have too much,
    and the one who had little did not have too little.’

We are tied one to another

by abundance and need.

My failures and your successes,

her plenty and his hunger,

our loss and their gift.

Giving and taking

grinding and making

mixing and baking

tearing and breaking

-

hearts

and

bread.

Dear God,

May we find

abundance when we need abundance 

and need when we need it.

Amen.