All and Everything Promise…

 

7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. 8 And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. 9 As it is written and forever remains written,

"HE [the benevolent and generous person] SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER!”—2 Corinthians 9:7-9 (emphasis mine)

I am so thankful for this section of Scripture!  I have read it in every version of the Bible. I call it God’s “I will give you all and everything promise”. As with all of God’s assurances there are no loopholes and no shortfalls.

I so want to be the one who gives because his heart is in what he gives.  Verse 8 above tells me I can!   It tells me I can be the one who gives cheerfully and not grudgingly or under compulsion. Here is the thing though…I just don’t want to  be a cheerful giver in terms of the material, I want to be a cheerful giver in ALL that I do. I want to do everything as a joyful servant of my Lord..even the laundry. When someone needs something and I just sat down, I want to be the one who volunteers to joyfully get up and get it for them.  

The only way I can do any of the above is if I give my desires to Christ and let Him do it in me because HE is the One who is my sufficiency in this life. He is the One who works in me both to do and to will for His good pleasure.  Unlike me, God doesn’t get tired, He doesn’t get resentful, and He doesn’t get impatient.   God is good and does good.  Verse 8 reminds me that He is constantly sending me all that I need so that no matter the circumstance…no matter how short on energy or on funds I might be, I will always have everything I need to do to all that He asks me to do.  

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you can do. It only matters who God is and what He can do…and He can do anything.  Beloved…Allow this simple, all encompassing truth to penetrate your heart. May His Spirit bring it to remembrance when you grow weary from doing good.  Your benevolence and kindness is from Him. Anything done at His behest and in His strength will have eternal consequences. It will accomplish what He desires and will endure forever.

20 Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.—Ephesians 3:20-21