DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
(10/11)
Epistle for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Seed of the Kingdom: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, especially
vs. 6: “...He who sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap
bountifully.” By using the image of sowing (vs. 6),
the Apostle Paul turns our thoughts to germination, sprouting, growth,
fruition, and yield, portraying the mystery of life most readily seen in field
and garden. But to what field or
garden is he referring? While the
preponderance of what he discusses here is generosity and good works or aid to
those who are poor (vss. 8,9,11), still his attention
is on the returns or yields to the sower, to the
donor and provider: love and blessings from God (vss. 7.8), and enduring
righteousness and resources or wealth (vss. 9,10). Actually,
And what is of prime importance for one
seeking life in Christ? As is the
case with field and garden, the possibilities of scarcity versus bounty are
uppermost. Oh yes, the Apostle
says, give as you choose, as you make up your mind to do; but, remember, God is
ever focused on the condition of your heart as you give. Your every action in life results in
love or a stone, blessing or sterility, spiritual wealth or dullness, plenty or
blight. The wise gardener, the
prudent farmer, takes seed in hand and sows for production, bounty, and a rich
harvest. Similarly, the wise servant
of the Lord carefully uses the most select seed, the choice grain that will
yield to cultivation and struggle.
And what is this quality seed that holds promise for the life in Christ?
Return, for a moment, to the parable of the sower and ask the question there, What
is the seed? The Master Himself
names it, “...the word of the kingdom...” (Mt. 13:19). Christ the Word, Lord of the Kingdom,
Whose word defines the way to be and to live, does not hold back His wisdom to
those who sow His word. He
“...is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having
all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work ” (2 Cor. 9:8). He began his teaching by saying,
“'...Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'” (Mt. 4:17); and
then: “...'Follow Me...'” (Mt. 4:19).
Soon after, in His Sermon on the Mount, the Lord
provided a string of kingdom words or commands that spell out
“following” Him:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:16). All of Christ’s commands uphold
the Divine Commandments given through Moses, but He deepens them: “You
have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and
whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry
with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment'”
(Mt. 5:21-22). Or “...if you
bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has
something against you, leave you gift there before the altar, and go your
way. First be reconciled to your
brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Mt. 5:23-24).
Do you see? That which Christ calls us to address
lies within, the very reason why
O life and sweet breath of mine, I was in
darkness and Thy sweet voice awakened me.
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