The Upper Room Devotion for Tuesday, July 9, 2024, was written by Atul-Prakash R. Christie of Gujarat, India
Scripture
6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12 for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 13 Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 NRSV
Author's Thoughts
Every week I travel 20 kilometers by bus to my workplace. One summer day on the bus, I sat next to a couple traveling with their young son. They only had an empty water bottle with them, and the little boy became thirsty and started crying. I immediately gave his father my water bottle, and the boy drank from it and stopped crying. The next day I went to the bank to credit my paycheck. I learned that due to an employee strike, my check would not be credited until the next day. I only had a small amount of money with me, so I decided to spend it on lunch and borrow money from someone for my evening meal.
That evening, I ate at a hotel. When I went to the counter to pay, the cashier told me that somebody had already paid for my meal. It was a miracle for me, and I did not have to ask anyone to lend me money. As we help others in their times of need, God will proviede for us too.
Thought for the Day
Because of God's care for me, I can take care of others.
Author's Prayer
Dear Lord, grant us loving hearts and minds to help the people we come in contact with today. We ask this as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us, "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation" (Luke 11:2-4, NKJV). Amen.
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