The Harvest

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NIV) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! When I was young, our church celebrated Harvest Home Sunday every fall. It usually came after most of the crops had been harvested and the farms had money coming in. Harvest Home Sunday was when many in our farming community made their pledge to the church. They said how much of their income they planned to give to support the church in the coming year. My mother was the church's financial secretary, so she knew how much each person gave each week. I can still hear her saying, "Some folks don't understand that we have to pay the preacher and the utilities every single month." Today there are few farmers in that church. Most people have jobs that give them a regular paycheck. That makes it easier to support the church by giving out of our weekly or monthly income. In biblical times, farmers were told to leave some of the crop along the edges of their fields so the poor could come and gather food for their families. Today, most of us wouldn't know what to do with the crop left on those outside rows. But groups like the Society of Saint Andrew glean fields to provide food for people in need. And some churches have planted gardens to do the same thing. Times have changed. Technology lets fewer farmers feed a great many people. So the harvest doesn't just provide income for the people who plant and gather it. It also feeds the rest of us who don't farm. Most of us will never harvest a crop. But most of us do have the income or the means to support our ministers and church staff, who teach us how to win others to Christ. Will you pray with me? Dear Lord, thank you for the harvest, which gives farmers their income and gives all of us our food. May the harvest make it possible for all of us to support the church and its missions, both near and far, so that others will want to become your followers. Amen. This podcast was written and read by Emmit Rawls. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.