God’s providential care

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

How much of a hoarder are you? A tragic story was carried by the media about a Washington woman who was found smothered under a piles of clutter - clutter of her own making. Sixty-two year old Marie Rose suffered from obsessive-compulsive hoarding. Things were so cluttered that searchers heads touched the ceiling and they had to search twice to find her. The police chief reported that it was the most cluttered residence he had ever seen. Authorities believe she had been hoarding for fifteen years. Many of us do things almost as tragic. We let our spiritual life suffer by allowing all kinds of clutter into our lives. Eventually that can lead to tragic results as well.

Here in our verse for today, Paul is using agricultural metaphors. He is illustrating his assertion that he has a right to expect financial support from the Corinthians.  In the simplest language of farming—sowing and reaping—Paul insists that since he and his coworkers sowed spiritual things among the Corinthians, they are entitled to reap material rewards.

The principle Paul has been teaching in the previous chapter is that no matter what rights Christians may have, they should be willing to sacrifice those rights for the sake of others. 

Is Paul making a case in the verse that there is a danger in hoarding the benefits of the seeds sown as part of the proclamation of the Gospel; a sort of biting the hand that feeds us?

We may well ask, “have I a tendency to misplace my affections; to value some things more highly than I ought, to cling to some things that are really mine to share?” The truth is, most of us may not clutter our lives with physical stuff, but we're just as guilty of emotional or spiritual hoarding that may deprive another sharing the benefits of the Gospel.

God, my Father, as Jesus states to Paul in his time of need, so do I remind myself: Your grace is sufficient for me. Whether in wealth or poverty, hunger or feasting, I will, like the apostle, boast in my weaknesses. For it is my weaknesses, Lord, that make Your grace manifest even more so in my life. In my life thus far, I have been upheld by this grace You supply – thank You, O my Father. Praying in the name of Jesus Christ, I praise You forever. Amen.