2 Corinthians 9:7-8 Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. There are some words used by people in utter ignorance of their true meaning. When appealed to on behalf of some charity the stock excuses are "I must be economical — frugal — thrifty"; by which they mean that they must be narrow-hearted, niggardly, although they do not intend you to take that as their meaning. But never were words more misused. Let us see what they really mean. I. Economical comes from the Greek root which means "home feeding." Now, fathers and mothers, what does home-feeding mean? Just to measure out so many ounces to your little child, and a little more to your eldest one? Is that the way we feed our children? No! We set them down at the table and let them eat as much as they like, until they have had enough — that is economy. The Mosaic economy is the dispensation of God's abundant graces through the teaching, etc., of Moses to the family of Israel. The economy of Christ is taken, I suppose, from the miracle of the loaves, where Christ stands as the Father, breaks the bread, blesses it, and gives it out, and there is enough and to spare. The economy of grace is God giving enough for each and all — bestowing His Holy Spirit, enough for each and for all. Economy is one of the noblest and most bountiful words in the language. II. THRIFTY. You say, "I must be thrifty," and I hope you will; for it is an adjective derived from the words "to thrive." And thrive as fast as you can, and God's blessing be with you. But do not attach a meaning that is "mean" to it. A thrifty table is a thriving table, and a bountiful one too. III. FRUGAL. This comes from the Latin Frugis, fruitful. A frugal table is a fruitful table, groaning beneath the weight of God's temporal gifts. (R. Maguire, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. |
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