Scripture 18

Sow Bountifully
"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9:6)

I recently went through the World Vision Aids Experience where a child from Kenya walked me through his life as an AIDS orphan. Shortly after, I read the book “The Hole in Our Gospel” by Richard Stearns (the president of World Vision) and I have been burdened for those suffering around the world from poverty, hunger, disease, etc. I have been evaluating and reflecting on how I live my life and how I can be living differently. These are some of the questions that have been on my mind and stirring in my heart ever since my World Vision encounter:

How am I showing love to people?

What kind of legacy am I leaving on this earth?

How am I helping those in need? How do I contribute to the needs of others?

Am I storing up treasures in heaven or am I filling my closets here on earth?

If I moved out of this neighborhood, would my neighbors notice? If I left my job, would my coworkers notice? If I left this world, would people notice?

Does God want me to go and serve? Give and Pray? All of the above?

How can I be a better steward of my time, talents, and treasures?

These questions have not been easy to answer and I’m not asking them to beat myself up. I have just been truly challenged and convicted when I learned that if you make more than $55,000 a year, you’re richer than 99% of the world. Or that as many as 5 million people die every year of water related illnesses, I realize that I can do much more than I’m doing to help. I realize that each and every person on earth is created in God’s image, has value and worth, and it’s tragic to think they die from things that can be easily prevented through clean water, medicine, and even education.

Looking at the “needs” of others can be overwhelming, and I’m thankful that through this process, the LORD has reminded me not to look at the needs of others, but to look at Him. It’s not my responsibility to fix the world’s problems, but it is my responsibility to obey Him. It’s my responsibility to help in some way. So I’ve asked “LORD what do you want me to do? How do you want me to live differently?”

I pray that I would leave a legacy of love and compassion, that I would put the needs of others first, that I would live with and eternal perspective, truly desiring in my heart to “Let your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Live intentionally. Give generously. Pray fervently. Obey willingly. Love wholeheartedly. Sow bountifully.