Each day, until the end of our lives, we need to seek God’s will. Through the prophets, God speaks to us every week. In every company there are machines and operators who can manage these machines. Sometimes, these machines break down and trips. In order to fix these machines and bring them back in running condition, specialists have to be called in. The operators and engineers are not trained for this task. Only these specialists can find out what the exact problem is and revive it. And once the job is done, the company is back on track. In the same way, in the church God has given us prophets who can tell us what is wrong, and they can tell us what to do to revive our Christian life. Praise God for the prophets!
Let us meditate today about the abounding grace that God has in store for all of us to do His will. Let us read from 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed”. In verse 7 we read, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” In terms of our contribution to the church (it is not about monetary contribution); in terms of helping our brothers – God will give us all grace we need for the good deeds. Paul had sent Titus to oversee the contributions of the church. In Chapter 8 we read that there was churches in Macedonia went through various afflictions, but through it they had an abundance of joy. In verse 5 we read, “and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.” This was the way that the Macedonian Christians made contributions. In verse 14 we read how these Christians helped each other. He who had in abundance, gave to those who had a need. Thus everyone was equal. How blessed it is when a brother can encourage and revive another brother who is discouraged! Thus the whole church is being blessed.
In 2 Chronicles 25 we read of King Amaziah. In verse 2 we read, “He did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.” Are we like King Amaziah? Are we doing good deeds to show people around us or is it done with a whole heart? In the following verse we read how Amaziah chose warriors to war against Edomites. He chose 300,000 choice men and also hired 100,000 warriors for hundred talents of silver. He had trust in his money and thought it was enough to win the war. But a man of God rebuked him and in verse 9 the man of God told him, “The Lord has much more to give you than this.” Amaziah took the rebuke and went as per the man of God. But in the following verses we see him fall into idolatry. This happened because what he did was not done with a whole heart.
In 2 Corinthians 9:10 we read, “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness” God’s word is being sown into our hearts and God can help to increase the harvest. Through God’s word we can increase in righteousness. Every day we can grow into the likeness of Christ. In verse 12 we read, “For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.” Through a brother’s ministry of supplying the needs of saints brings thanksgiving to God. Through our helping our brothers, we are blessed and they are blessed and God is given thanks.
In Philippians 4:13 we read, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Paul had gone through humble means and also through prosperity. He had experienced plenty and lack of provisions. Thus he could say in verse 19, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” The church in Philippi had sent Ephaphroditus to Paul while he was in prison. The Chuch had sent help to Paul through Ephaphroditus. Their help was like a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. May we be able to minister to our fellow brethren bringing thanks and praise to our God. God bless us all!
