Abundance For Every Work

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

This wonderful promise is found in the middle of two chapters where Paul spoke about finances and giving. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to increase in their giving. He prayed that they would sow richly so that they might harvest richly. He encouraged them to be cheerful givers.

The principle of sowing and reaping is found throughout the Bible (Gen. 8:22). It applies not only to farming but to every aspect of life. Paul says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). The Bible says when we give our finances, a seed is sown. Sometimes people argue that we should not give with the intent of receiving something in return; that we should not expect anything back. But Jesus said, “Give, it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).

We give out of love for God. We give in obedience to God. We never expect anything in return from people. But every farmer understands that when he sows into good soil, he will receive a harvest. Paul said that this applies to our giving as well. If we sow abundantly, we will reap abundantly. We can expect a harvest from God, and the Word of God challenges us to expect an abundant harvest because we have sown abundantly. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:6-7).

God’s purpose is that we, by being liberal givers, can enter into His abundant blessings and, in turn, can give generously to others. So with the sowing comes the reaping that enables us to be liberal, loving and committed givers for every good work. We are blessed to be a blessing to others!