“But as you abound in everything- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us- see that you abound in this grace also.” 2 Corinthians 8:7
Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles was not just an evangelist or church planter, but he was a shepherd that made disciples. When it comes to growing in Christ… growing in GRACE… there are certainly “graces” that we grow in faster than others. What I’ve discovered is a groundbreaking truth… EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. Not everyone grows at the same pace and certainly, everyone has different areas of strength and areas of weakness. But when it comes to giving this is a biblical principle that believers have to “catch.”
For the Corinthian church, they were zealous about spiritual gifts but here in chapter 8 Paul is teaching them and encouraging them about GIVING. He calls giving “a grace” that they needed to grow and abound in.
What about you? When it comes to giving are you tight fisted and penny-pinching or do you find yourself participating in the work of God on a consistent basis? I love this by Martin Luther, “I have tried to keep things in my hands and lost them all, but what I have given into God’s hands I still possess.”
How true this is. As you grow in your understanding of God’s great unmerited undeserved favor on your life you too like the Corinthians will see faith, good speech, knowledge, diligence, love and EVEN GIVING ABOUNDING IN YOUR LIFE.
May you continue to grow and allow for God’s grace to be developed in your life.
By His Spirit,
Pastor Bill