Tucked away in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is a little verse with massive power.
In context, Paul was encouraging the Corinthians to give generously for the support of other saints. He wrote,
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
Firstly, Paul provided the biblical truth that generous giving results in generous receiving. And, secondly, the idea seems to be that Paul conditioned the “generous receiving” on the attitude of the giver—that is, the generous giving came from one who’s heart was free and happy to give.
It’s what follows that I’d like us to now consider. Paul wrote,
“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 word” (v. 8).
This verse struck me the other day when I read it, and I hope you see its power!
We’ve already noted how generous and cheerful giving results in a bountiful harvest, but what exactly is included in this harvest?
The above verse tells us: the all-sufficient and God-given ability to abound in every good work.
God has created good works for you and I to accomplish (see Ephesians 2:10). The areas for where we’re to do them cover all of life: at home, at work, on the road, in the church, during recreation, while reading, walking, etc.
Any genuine disciple would confess that they desire to effectively accomplish God’s good works for them in all of these areas. But what can happen, as I can testify, is that we lack the ability at times—or better, we feel we lack the ability—to do these works.
But what if there was a promise in Scripture that God’s sufficiency and ability would provide all you need, at all times, to abundantly accomplish all the works he has for you?
There is! And we’ve already looked at it!
But what’s this promise connected to? What is its context?
Generous and cheerful giving.
If you’re like me, you want to do all the good works God has prepared for you. And if you’re still like me, you want God’s sufficiency and ability to do them.
If that’s the case, then let us give ourselves to giving! Let us generously and cheerfully give much, and thus receive the blessing of God’s abundant grace in every good work.