God Alone is Our Source
ICS Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (NKJV) For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
In this passage, Paul was preparing the members of the Corinthian church to give the collection they had promised as a freewill offering to the church in Jerusalem to support the poor there. The Corinthians initially responded passionately, which also stirred the interest among other regional churches to contribute. However, they were slow to fulfil their promise due to a disagreement between Paul and the Corinthian church. People tend to be influenced by their feelings, easily offended, and prone to rationalising or justifying their actions, leading to failure in honouring our commitments.
Our finances are tied to the preaching of the gospel. God will use us as His conduit or channel of blessings to others because we are the body of Christ, to express His love to those inside and outside the church.
This passage reveals how God works with His stewards who manage His resources.
- Needs will be presented to us—through the church or other opportunities—to give. We must be willing to make a freewill offering joyfully. Prepare an amount to give to the Lord or any of the causes that He shows us.
- A freewill offering is like a seed sown into the ground to produce a harvest. There will be no harvest if there is no sowing. How much we reap will be determined by how much we have sown. Give what you can without compulsion so you will have a harvest in due time.
- We should give joyfully because we are God’s stewards, and every freewill offering is an opportunity to experience His faithfulness. When we give willingly, God supplies, multiplies, and ensures we have all sufficiency to abound in every good work. As we prove faithful in giving, He is glorified through our willingness to support the work He reveals to us.
It is easier to give a freewill offering if we acknowledge that we are stewards of His resources. As we place our faith in the truth that He will continue to provide, we can be a blessing to those in need. The first step into this grace of giving is acknowledging that God alone is the source of all our provision.
Reflection: Are you faithfully fulfilling what you have promised to give to the Lord, or have you allowed your feelings or circumstances to delay your obedience?
Sermon Series： Our Free Will Offering
