The Wise Woman’s Stone

I was reading 2 Corinthians 9 recently and was impressed how we are instructed by God about our giving. “But I say this, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.  Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work; As it is written, ‘He scattered; he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.’” 2Corinthians 9:6-9 

The following story helps illustrate a truth about being a “good giver”:

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. 

The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. “I’ve been thinking,” he said, “I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious.  Please give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone. – anonymous

“He Is No Fool Who Gives What He Cannot Keep, To Gain That Which He Cannot Lose!” – Jim Elliot

God bless you as we learn to be good givers, Pastor Larry