ABOUNDING IN THIS GRACE ALSO

For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. (2 Corinthians 8:12 NKJV)

If the Apostle Paul were living today he would surely be in great request to preach the special sermons for the gathering of funds to maintain religious and charitable work. Judging by this chapter, he must have been unique in extracting gifts for all purposes from God's people. He stirs the Corinthians up by reminding them of the liberality of the churches in Macedonia, notwithstanding their deep poverty. He reminds them that as they abound in so many gifts and graces, they must see to it that they are not lacking "in this grace also" (2 Corinthians 8:7). He quotes the example of our blessed Lord, and reminds them that they owe everything to His choice to become poor so that we might become rich. He suggests that the one thing God wants is willingness to give, and that He accepts the desire of the poor man to give all with as much delight as the vast possessions of the millionaire (Mark 12:41-44). .

What a wonderful text is the ninth verse! George Herbert, in one of his poems, depicts our Lord stripping Himself as He descended from the heavenly throne to the manger of Bethlehem. He put off His crown, and its jewels became the Milky Way; He laid aside His scepter, and it became the lightning flash; He put off His girdle, and it became the rainbow; He shed the robes of His royalty, and they became the sunset clouds! But how wonderful it is to think that the Lord of glory became so poor that He had no where to lay His head, that He was often without food and always dependent upon charity.

But because He was poor, we are made rich; because He was homeless He has opened to us the "many mansions"; because He was stripped of all we may wear the white robes, and sit with Him in heavenly places. He calls to each one of us to minister to Himself in caring for the least of His brethren. We can only really help people when we impoverish ourselves, but in the end we are not losers. God will be in no man's debt. What we keep we lose; what we give is like scattered seed that comes back in bountiful harvests. Lay your heart against the heart of Christ, until you become filled with His love and spirit, and are content to call nothing your own. Be the steward of everything you possess for His glory and the help of others. After all, God has blessed us by loaning our possessions to us to use to serve and glorify Him.

PRAYER

Father God, we have nothing worth our giving, or Your receiving; our best was given to us by You. Graciously accept us and all that we have. Whatever You have given, enable us to count it a stewardship for others. I pray this in Jesus' name, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #322:
I look throughout the earth to strengthen those who belong to Me. 

2 Chronicles 16:9 (WEB)
For the eyes of Yahweh run back and forth throughout the whole earth,
to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
Herein you have done foolishly; for from henceforth you shall have wars.”