His Time – Why Lutheran Schools?, Witness Wednesday, “The Cheerful Giver”

1. Why Lutheran Schools?

Terry Schmidt, Director of Schools for the LCMS Office of National Mission, talks about why parents should send their children to Lutheran Schools. Learn more about school ministry at lcms.org/schools.
http://archives.kfuo.org/mp3/HT/HT_Aug_31a_2016.mp3
Download Audio File

2. Witness Wednesday

With Rev. Mark Wood, Director of Witness and Outreach in the LCMS Office of National Mission.
http://archives.kfuo.org/mp3/HT/HT_Aug_31c_2016.mp3
Download Audio File

3. Daily Lectionary

Rev. Joshua Lowe from Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill, Nebraska, studies 2 Corinthians 9:1-15.

http://archives.kfuo.org/mp3/HT/HT_Aug_31d_2016.mp3
Download Audio File

4. Morning Prayer Sermonette

Today’s sermonette is by Rev. Joshua Lowe from Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill, Nebraska.
http://archives.kfuo.org/mp3/HT/HT_Aug_31e_2016.mp3
Download Audio File

“The Bible is cradle wherein Christ is laid.” – Martin Luther

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

9 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending[a] the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift[b] you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.[c]

The Cheerful Giver

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[d] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency[e] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given 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 to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they[f] will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Footnotes:

2 Corinthians 9:3 Or I have sent

2 Corinthians 9:5 Greek blessing; twice in this verse

2 Corinthians 9:5 Or a gift expecting something in return; Greek greed

2 Corinthians 9:6 Greek with blessings; twice in this verse

2 Corinthians 9:8 Or all contentment

2 Corinthians 9:13 Or you

English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.