Nougat 26

I am a firm believer in the prosperity of God’s people. No, I don’t adhere to the principles of the Prosperity ‘Gospel’ – I’ve been cured of that multi-years ago – but I believe that God’s children ought to flourish (thrive, mature spiritually and/or be faith-rich) and add positive value to any space in which we are placed. I’m not speaking of wealth, it could be about spiritual growth. Want to reflect on this one more – consider today’s Holy Nougat

“The one who supplies seed for planting and bread for eating will supply and multiply your seed and will increase your crop, which is righteousness.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Supply, Multiply, and Increase!

This nougat is part of a special appeal to the Corinthian church to support a sister church along the way. And I do mean on the way as the cities were within the Greek area of the day. And with Paul as the presiding elder at the time, they both shared the bishop. Macedonia was facing a crisis and Paul’s team was planning to visit Corinth to collect the special offering.

In the verses leading up to the nougat, it is clear that Paul is confident of a gift, albeit with reservations. For, inasmuch as Paul expressed his expectations of a show of generosity, his sending a team to visit prior to the Macedonians’ anticipated arrival suggests that there might have been a bit of doubt. And that’s also expressed in the verses prior.

Yet Paul was convinced of the merits of giving as he proceeded right there to teach on the blessings of giving. And it is in the lesson on giving that he reveals the key to prosperity. This is rooted in an understanding of God’s nature and God’s provision: to Supply, Multiply, and Increase. So let’s consider this principle.

Supply

Genesis 1:10-12; 8:22 and Isaiah 55:10 tell us clearly that our God of Creation is not only sovereign over nature, but also the Originator (ie Source) of seeding and harvesting. These processes put in place for our benefit have been so normalized that we take them as a part of nature. Yet the location of seed plants in specific places with ‘ideal’ conditions is proof that God’s in the mix of the growing cycle.

Discovery of date palm seeds from the era of Jesus that could still be pollinated by our modern palms …, our ability to work with genomes etc to produce resilient crops might cause us to forget that it is God Who provides and supplies all.

Multiply

In the principle of provision (supplying) therefore, lies the recognition that God provides for us to be nourished and for replenishing. In on seed sown is the vast potential for multiplication. If one planted seed yields a crop, it is more than it started in the first place. (Interestingly, the yield is only possible after the seed’s death – a sacrifice is involved.) What we sow in others may be a sacrifice, but has the potential, by God’s grace, to realize great yield.

Increase

But what I also hear Paul saying, and this is the piece we sometimes forget, is that the yield is not only for our benefit, it is also for others. When a tree bears fruit, especially with seeded crops, it depends on cooperation of other facets of creation to realize reproductive potential. Some need insects and other animals to help pollinate or plant, while others benefit from human intervention to systematize the sowing.

If we look at multiplication as the fruit, and increase as reproduction capacity, then we will find that when we share what God has multiplied, prosperity is in effect. What is even more miraculous is that the yield from our generosity is increased righteousness (right standing with God, and total access to God’s storehouse of spiritual seeds), which is its own reward. I pray we continue to prosper and sow into others – with discernment.

May God add increase to us.

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May all we seek be found in Christ