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Galatians 6:9 Good News Translation
9 So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest.
The last blog I posted used the text 2 Corinthians 8:9 “And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.”
My brother responded with “I'm afraid that every good cause would easily bankrupt me.”
To which I concurred: “I couldn't help thinking that, when I read this verse and thought about its ramifications!”
Practically every day my mail brings me a request for handout for some good (and not so good) cause. My email, my phone, my pastor, my social media connections, my politicians, the pan handler on the street corner, all stand there with a hand stretched out for my help.
In this age others often appear to expect that we are infinite. When I first started teaching, there was one method of getting a message to me, other than in person—in my mail. Even at that time, much of it was junk mail. During my tenure as a teacher, I got a desk phone, then a phone answering machine. Then along came email, text messaging, electronic calendars, a mobile phone, and the list grew. I was told by a host of messaging agents—some people, some simply robotic machines—that they had left me a message, hadn’t I seen it?!
At this point, as mathematicians say, I need to exercise the axiom of choice. To abuse Set Theory, where there is an unlimited number of choices, I can always make a choice. It is up to me to decide which choice I wish to make.
When Paul wrote Galatians 6:9 he must have been thinking about the number of “good causes” that present themselves to a Christian every day. He encourages us to not become weary in well doing. Even though I have an infinite God with me, He knows that I am not infinite—He didn’t make me infinite, and He doesn’t expect me to be infinite. But He assures me that if I don’t give up, there is a reward awaiting me.
Now, think of God continually receiving requests, often contradictory, from the entire universe!
Whew, Lord! You assure us that You don’t get weary and are infinitely able to easily handle all our requests. Thank You!
Will, I like your blog. Like you, I am in undated with calls for monetary donations. I have to choose. And, of course, I have my own causes that I give it to, causes that are close to my heart, including the church. I also give to the homeless, but wondering each time if they are scamming me. Are they really homeless, do they really need money for lunch etc. I just give as the spirit moves. Blessings to you and Sylvia.
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