“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. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.’ 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. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” 2 Cor. 9:8-12
Devotional Thought For The Day
We often fret and worry about not having “sufficient” resources to “abound in every good work.” Christians are sensitive to the tragic needs of so many people in the world, and the compassion that Christ places in our hearts compels us to deep caring and eager desire to provide for others. But when we look at our accounts, we realize that we are far short of even small giving to all the various needs we are aware of, and this is depressing and heart-rending. So we must give what we can, within our means, and allow that God intends for others who have more to fill the gaps, and we pray that they will. Still, we desire to abound even more in good works and that God would indeed “increase the harvest” of our righteousness. And we pray that God would continue to compel our generosity in every way. It is the realization of the tremendous needs that compels us.
There are good reasons for us to be generous with our earthly possessions and wealth. Of course there is the need that is being met, or at least assuaged, and this is good. There is also the benefit of freeing us from love of money, a commonly shared form of idolatry which enslaves us. It is wonderful to be freed from this, although our sinful nature abhors this and cries out for more selfishness. Our generosity, in the Name of Christ, increases thanksgiving to God – leading others to consider His great love for all people. Finally, our generosity reflects the character and nature of God, Who “has distributed freely” and “has given to the poor.” All of this is the result of His “righteousness,” which He has accounted to all people in Christ Jesus to be received by faith. This is eternal life and salvation. When we reflect God’s character this is evidence of the image of God being restored within us, and surely this is a good thing, what God has desired and worked for throughout human history. His declaration of forgiveness and cleansing, and the accounting of Christ’s righteousness to us, creates in us what is declared – and it is God alone Who is able to make this grace abound to us.
While God’s gift of accounted righteousness, His forgiveness, new life, and eternal salvation is instantaneous and complete, our transformation is a process – it is certainly not finished with the snap of one’s fingers. We must continue daily to suppress and kill our sinful nature, and at times this seems halting at best or futile at worst. None of that matters, although the devil rubs this into our faces in an effort to demoralize us and cause us to just give up. Rather, we continue to dwell on God’s love, His gracious mercy and forgiveness, and His providence in our lives, and in this He makes His grace abound to us, the grace to turn away from selfishness and greed and to provide generously toward the needs of others. The result is freedom for us to make choices, and to actually exercise our generosity in giving, which is certainly pleasing to God.
Christians in America have prospered over the past few decades, and prosperity brings much increased temptations to acquiesce to love of money. The stunted spiritual growth of those thus afflicted is rather appalling, including the way in which they parade their prerogatives and smug satisfaction with having “made it.” This is a scourge upon the church, especially when it is turned into a “success club.” It seems few of us have the capacity to resist such temptations, but let us pray God to continue healing us. Until then let us practice good stewardship of what God has given us, including generosity toward those in need. Perhaps our prayer must be that of the wise man who wrote the proverbs: “Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny You and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the Name of my God.” [Prov. 30:8,9] God supplies what is best for us; our privilege is to utilize it in accord with His love and His character.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for eagerly looking for ways to cater to our selfish pleasures and desires, when so many others are suffering want of the basic needs of life and the simplest pleasantries. Increase our compassion and our generosity, but preserve us from the devil’s wiles – who tries to make us feel guilty whether we give or do not give. Keep our mind and heart focused on You, on Your great love for us, so that we continue to grow more like You in all that we think and do. Amen.