2 Corinthians 9:7-8, 11
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency at all times, you may abound in every good work … You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way…”
Today's Prayer Focus
- For a culture of grace-inspired generosity at LBC.
- For broad-based participation in “the grace of giving.”
- For God’s provision for all of our ministries and work on behalf of the gospel.
- For the specific need of a 20% increase in funding to hire the new assistant pastor, for the purpose of expanding our outreach and nurturing our growing congregation.
"A Strange Command with a Remarkable Promise"
Bart Johnson
LBC and Orlando have much in common with the ancient church and the city of Corinth. The Apostle Paul wrote to our forebears in the Corinthian church (and to us at LBC) a very personal, emotive letter that includes the passage above. Isn’t it interesting that he “raises the bar” on giving, by insisting not only that we “must” give, but also that we give with a right attitude … “not reluctantly”, but cheerfully. Okay, Paul, it’s not enough that we give? We have to be cheerful about it too?!
But I love that along with the command, Paul makes a remarkable promise containing an amazing provision. Who among us doesn’t want to “have all sufficiency at all times”, and to “be enriched in every way”? And who among us doesn’t truly desire (in our best moments) to be “generous in every way”?
God commands only what He also enables by the power of his Spirit … only what He knows is for our good … and only what He also rewards. Would you pray with me that He will graciously give His congregation at LBC the Spirit of cheerful giving that He “loves”, and along with it the fulfillment of the wonderful promises that attend this way of giving?
Bart Johnson is an elder at LBC. He has been "thankfully" married 42 years to Judy. He loves music, the solitude and beauty of remote wilderness high country, and the “clamor” of good fellowship in the city.