“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others; While they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:10-15
Those of you who know Duska and I are aware that it’s our greatest joy to help people, especially ministers, to succeed. There is no greater joy than to see a person or a ministry come from financial lack into prosperity.
By prosperity, I mean that all of their needs are taken care of, personally and in their ministry, with funds left over to give to others.
The verses we are looking at in this blog are my favorites.
To say God prospers all believers is both true and false. All you have to do is look around and observe and you know that isn’t necessarily the situation.
Now what is true is that God desires that all of His children prosper, and He has provided a means so that they may. He desires that all men be saved and has made provision so they can experience His desire for them.
In both situations there has to be a participation on the person’s part. There is a way to receive salvation that we all understand. It’s by Grace through Faith.
Now God supplies bread to eat because we are His children. It’s an expression of our Father’s love.
However, He also gives His children seed to sow to increase them and His cause in the earth. He will enrich you in every way so you can be generous and your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.
When we follow God’s plan we understand that He wants us to participate, not just in giving, but in the joy of blessing others. He wants us to experience the joy of seeing what we sow multiply, as well as being a part of others experiencing our Fathers goodness through us.
This is the shared life; God in Christ has shared His life with us.
This is the blessed life. Nothing compares to it on earth outside of our Oneness with Divine Life. The result is that people will long for us (not hate the believer) and pray for us.
Why? They will glorify God because of our submission to His plan that came when we confessed faith in the Gospel. Also, they rejoice because the surpassing Grace of God is seen on His people.
I feel like Paul when he said: “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift”. The gift of giving.
I encourage you to participate in this Grace found only in Jesus.
-Pastor Bill Annis
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