(GRACE IN SERVICE (ACTION) - Day 4 of 7)
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”
2 Corinthians 9:8
This is a remarkable sentence of “fullness” from God. Note “all grace”, “abound”, “always”, “all sufficiency”, “in everything”, “abundance”, “for every good deed”. That’s a lot of fullness. That’s a lot of provision for God. And while this promise of goodness from the infinite grace of God's ability is comforting, we must not neglect to notice the purpose. God, by His grace, gives us the ability to give grace to others.
There are needs. Needs all around us. We don’t always open our ears or eyes or hearts to them, but they are there. And God provides for us to provide. In this text, there were brethren who were in need. Brethren the Corinthians could help. They could help by what God had provided them. If they opened their hearts (and wallets) then the need would be provided.
“(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)” (2 Corinthians 9:9-10) God provides the seed to be sown, God provides the bread of the harvest, God causes the increase for the people, and God provides the fruit which bears more seed. God’s grace is abundant in every aspect and provides not only for us but for us to help others through Him.
“God is able to make all grace abound to you”. Look around. What has God given you today that can be a blessing to others in need? Maybe it’s food in your pantry. Maybe it’s some abundant change in your car cup holder. Maybe it’s time… to sit and listen or hold a hand. Maybe it’s a kind word. Maybe it’s the gospel. Maybe it’s forgiveness. Look at what God has given you so that you might extend His grace to others.
When you think of God’s grace, what He had available to give, what He did give, and there was nothing greater than Jesus. This is the abundant amazing grace of God. He has shown us in the most magnificent ways how able and available His grace is. When we understand that it changes our perspective. When we truly understand that, it changes our life.
May you always see the all-sufficient and abundant grace of God that is ever-present in your life to help others.
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NOTE: The "picture" for today's post is actually "artwork" from Abilene Christian University which is actually a bedsheet with a sermon painted on it. These were common in the 1800s and early 1900s amongst traveling preachers in particular. I have always appreciated and admired such works. Oliver Murray used to travel with his charts and quoted every passage on the chart from memory. There were people with great skill, talent, and ability by the grace of God... and they used it to bring the grace of God to others. May we all learn from that according to our ability and opportunity
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