SPENT

Fall’s first frost came early this year, leaving us with way too many green tomatoes. I felt like some sort of grim reaper when I tore into our wilted line of tomatoes and removed the whole shebang. Some years I rinse the green tomatoes that show more “potential” in a weak bleach solution to ward off mold. Those with a hint of yellow go in a sunny windowsill to ripen nature’s way. The others I layer in a box between newspapers to awaken slowly. Of both methods, eventually some ripen, but some developed mold and had to be tossed. 
We’re “city-slicker” gardeners who buy fledgling tomato plants every spring from the hardware store. Bravo to the more farm-hearted souls who harvest tomato seeds and know how to bring the pinhead-size seeds to new life as “starter” plants. Think: seed pods made out of empty toilet paper rolls, stuffed with nutritious/sterilized potting soil, and nurtured with lots of green-thumb know-how. I watched the You-Tube! I could do it—if I wanted!

GIVING BACK

Imagine: claiming the abundance for more abundance!  That spiritual principle was Paul’s focus in nurturing the church in Corinth. Known as a worldly and perhaps selfish city, it was a good incubator for the concept of giving generously. As Paul emphasized the practical and spiritual rewards of giving, he urged them to give generously and graciously. The end result (for impoverished recipients in Jerusalem) would be the “overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (2 Cor. 9:14).

That passage came to mind a few weeks ago during the annual all-city "Make a Difference" volunteer day. Our newspaper ran a full page of project descriptions to help people figure out how they could spend a few hours improving our community. It poured rain that day, so some of the outdoor projects probably had to reschedule. But many folks got free haircuts, dental care, food, diapers, repaired bikes, property repair and other “helps.” And...the do-gooders undoubtedly got “feel-good” endorphins for giving of themselves.

The dynamics weren’t any different in the First Century. Those who give in the name of Christ, Paul said, receive back what can’t be weighed or measured: the surpassing grace of God (9:14). That concept should blow your mind. It did Paul’s, as he followed up with this exclamation: “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (v. 15).

The Gift beyond all gifts, of course, is Jesus. With the annual celebration of His birth coming at us (with all its materialism and greed), we need the reminder that the seeds of Christ-motivated giving are within us. Even if tinier than a tomato seed, they have potential for harvest.