April 8, 2011 – 2 Corinthians 8 - 9:10

“Now what he says is to this effect; but was even an occasion to them of abounding, just as affliction was of feeling joy. For the poorer they were, the more munificent they were and contributed the more readily.' Wherefore also he admires them exceedingly, for that in the midst of so great poverty they had displayed so great munificence” (extremely liberal in giving; very generous).  From Homily 16 on Second Corinthians by St. John Chrysostom (347-407) 

I was clicking on different verses and works that were connected to them and I found this.  He has pages and pages going verse by verse preaching about them.  But I thought was an interesting take on it and I had to look up munificent.  But the poorer they were, the more they gave.  And for all their affliction, their joy increased.  It is because they trusted in the Lord in what they gave and the faith gave them joy.  They had not worries about what would become in the world and with their material things because they totally relied on God and their joy was in abundance.  We are being asked to give to our annual diocesan appeal.  It is something that we are suppose to not worry about, give freely and trust in God.  BUT MAN IS IT HARD TO DO.  Every human sense in our body tells us to hold on tight to our money with ever ounce of our strength.  Yet here we see you product of giving freely and trusting in God.  Abundant Joy. 

“8. For the next words are, "They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy" (ver. 5). In this life, which is full of tears, let us sow. What shall we sow? Good works. Works of mercy are our seeds: of which seeds the Apostle saith, "Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." Speaking therefore of almsgiving itself, what saith he? "This I say; he that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly." Exposition of Psalm 126 by St. Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430) 

Then I found this one connected to 9:6.  When you sow sparingly, you get sparingly.  And even though Paul was focused on money, St. Augustine uses it to reflect on tears.  If you sow tears, you reap joy read with he the sows sparingly will reap sparingly.  Think about that when you see people in pain and hurting and dealing with a difficult situation.  Also think about that when you see those that don’t seem to struggle with life, have all the money they want, have fame or power, appear to have it all.  How often do we hear about what they are missing when it is all said in done.  Where is their joy.  The Macedoneans had abundant joy because they had affliction.  The women with her two pieces of copper gave more because she gave all she had and felt joy.  Where are we at.  Are we running away from suffering, from giving what we have, fearful that may not be able to live the life we are used to.  Where are we in our trusting of God when it comes to our money, our time, our tears.  How are we sowing.