Grace

 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV

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.  


The Corinthian church was wealthy, but not so generous. He wasn't asking them to 'sow' into his ministry like some charlatan. He was asking them to provide for their impoverished Jerusalemite brethren.

I love how positive Paul is with the Corinthian church. He doesn't metaphorically beat them about their heads with a stick. He gently encourages them to step into all that God has been gracious to them for.

God isn't gracious to us so we can pay ourselves on our backs. He doesn't show us mercy to make us self-sufficient and uncaring about anyone else. He wants us to abound in every good work.

The Lord expects us to be generous. We can't say 'I don't think that's my calling'. It's all of our callings to be generous.

'Sovereign Lord, please forgive any stinginess in us. Help us to be generous to others even as you are generous to us. For the sake of Jesus we ask this, amen'. 

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