By Rev. J. Loren Russell
2 Corinthians 9:9-11 (NLT)
“As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.”
To be enriched is to be changed. Some might say that enlightenment is sufficient. To that I say, “Not so!” Enlightenment is the process of, in biblical terms, sharing the gospel that brings light into a dark world. The reason enlightenment is not enough is because the light may grow dim without a constant supply of the light.
In the book of Hebrews (6:4-6), the writer says that it is impossible to restore someone who once was enlightened (For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt). This text suggests that the enlightened can be unenlightened. Just turn the light off. However, to be enriched is to be transformed, the process by which someone or something is made richer. Enrichment improves or changes the condition of a person, or a thing, and it is forever different. Beating eggs into cake batter changes the batter forever. The eggs and the batter become one.
Another way to look at it is when the sun shines to illumine the world. As the world turns on it’s axis, the sunshine diminishes, eventually fading away into the dark of the night.
However, enrichment changes the light into a part of the landscape or person, making the light sparkle from within the landscape or person. A spiritually enriched person personifies light. The glory of the “son” emanates from them.
Enlightenment is shared by bringing others into the presence of the light. But the focal text speaks of someone didn’t need take the needy to be helped. He had been enriched monetarily and was able to enrich the lives of others. That’s the beauty of enrichment. It can be shared with others. Enriched people are the personification of enlightenment.
There really is a choice between being spiritually enlightened and being spiritually enriched. Which do you choose?
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial &. Strategic Consulting, and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio, Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen by phone” at 626-226-1448. Be sure to Friend “Matters of Faith” on Facebook and email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The Book at BookBlues.
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