The Planter is also the Perfecter

"Finish what you begin" was an important message of the Apostle Paul to Corinth.  His appeal is recorded for us in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9.  They had committed themselves to financially helping the poor Christians in Jerusalem who were going through a devastating drought.  In this appeal Paul provides for Christians today, clear instruction on giving.

Paul essentially tells the church that the degree of return is contingent upon the investment.  Will God permit you to suffer if you obey this?  His answer is no. 

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:7–8, ESV)

In verse 10 of chapter 9 Paul tells the Church this: “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.” Did you notice Paul's description of God?   "He who supplies seed . . . and bread for food, will supply . . .."   The antecedent to "He" is God in verse 8.  God is supplier of seed and bread!  He supplies the planting and the harvest.  He is the initiator and the completer.  Paul's point is to assure the Corinthians that God will guarantee the supply.  The seed is God's provision and the harvest is God's provision. 

This is similar to the treatment given by the author of Hebrews where he encourages us this way: “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2, ESV) He is the τελειωτής [tel·i·o·tace] the finisher, the perfecter of our faith.

 

We find this about our God.  He is the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8, 17; 22:13) the beginning and the end.  The Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  Our rendition would be that He is the 'A' and the 'Z'!

 

Jesus Christ is indeed the Lord of all, including time: the past, present, and future.  Even as He stands at the beginning, He stands at the end guaranteeing the completion of all that He has started.