Grace of Abundance

23
Dec

2 Corinthians 9:8 – “And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

In this scripture, Paul speaks of the Christians at Corinth who were unwilling to give or share their things. Paul reminded them of the farmer who sows seeds; He gets greater harvest the more he sows. Not only will God supply bread for food, but will also increase your store of seed supply and enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. Similar to the farmer, if one gives, God will surely reward the giver. 1-God is a generous God who gives in return much more than we can imagine. 2-God is a giver and we must learn this of God’s nature. 3-We must give of our will and not of compulsion. 4-God loves people who give with happiness in their hearts and minds. 5- Giving is also a proof of our belief. 6-When we give money to others, God provides us enough for ourselves, all that we need. 7-God rewards our giving in different ways, materially and spiritually. Materially, in promotions with better pay, unexpected gifts of money, or by making things last so we don’t have to replace them. Spiritually, God frees our hearts from greed and materialism, gives us blessing and happiness, or stores up rich rewards for us in Heaven. In this way, we will all give thanks to God: we and the people who we give to, so even others respect God. Others will see and praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

The scripture is not a promise of money or wealth; rather of God’s grace towards us providing us with all sufficiency and abundance to fulfil the purpose we have on this Earth.  It is a promise of spiritual fruitfulness. Apart from this, God provides the giving heart contentment. How does one know if they have contentment? Spending and shopping habits – How much of a place does shopping and buying have in our life? How does material loss affect our happiness? How happy do you get from having some material thing? When we live without contentment, we try fill ‘needs’ in our lives – the need: to be “somebody”, to feel secure or cared for, or to have excitement and newness in our lives. Everyone tries to fulfil these needs with material things, but these needs can only be satisfied by a spiritual relationship with the God who made us.

‘The righteousness of the person who gives generously to poor people will last forever.’ God wants us to be channels of blessing, not reservoirs of blessing. We are blessed to be a blessing to others.