GOD IS ABLE - 20. Making sure there's enough

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

Today's "God is able" phrase can be lifted out of its place and carried into any situation: "God is able to make all grace abound toward you." Grace is the word for God's faithful kindness, and there is never a moment when He is uncertain about how to be gracious and good.

But the context makes the phrase even more interesting because this chapter is really about money. According to the passage, the Christians in Corinth had promised to send some money to help God's people in other places.  Many had been forced from their homes because of threats and persecution; and others, like Peter and John and Luke, had given up their regular jobs so they could have time to teach the Bible and help others. Sending money was both practical and necessary.

It's beautiful that the Corinthian Christians intended to help people they didn't even know personally.  Paul's letter to them is, in part, a reminder to get their gift ready so they wouldn't be scrambling to scrape it together when Paul himself came to visit later.

What is Christian giving like? First, Paul writes, it should be "a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation" (verse 5), because "God loves a cheerful giver" (verse 7). If you're giving money to a church group or a Christian charity because someone is guilting you into it, that's not God's way of giving.

Then the second principle goes a little deeper: "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" (verse 6). In other words, be generous because you choose to be! If you only plant a few seeds, you're only going to have a small crop. Don't be stingy, because God does great things with money that's dedicated to Him. 

God's grace abounds toward these generous, cheerful givers. The Bible does not support the idea that God will always make His people rich. But we can be sure that the money we give away for God's honor is noticed in heaven, and He will never abandon those who use their money for Him.