“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”
– 2 Corinthians 9:8
If God is able to provide every blessing in abundance, why is there want in the world?
This is one of the many situations where it is critical to read a Bible verse in context. At this time, Paul is writing to the church at Corinth, telling them he is sending others ahead of him to arrange for the gift the Corinthians were preparing for the rest of the Body of Christ, and encouraging them to follow through with it.
The second greatest gift God gives to ensure the happiness and well-being of all, the first being the death and Resurrection of Christ, is the Holy Spirit moving in and through the hearts of all of us, encouraging us to come together to serve and be served.
Possibly my favorite story of all time, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, shows this so well. Scrooge has gold and silver in abundance, but until he changes his ways, all it gets him is bitterness, loneliness, and a cold, empty life.
And if we say to ourselves, “I don’t know that I have anything to give. Or, I might need that later,” remember that God will protect you and bless you, and that there are many gifts to share besides money.
Prayer: God, we give You thanks for all the blessings you have shown us. Inspire us to live and serve as Christ did, sharing all that we have. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Written by Tyler Jensen