2 CORINTHIANS 9:8

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

TO PONDER

I wonder if you ever wake up really early on a Sunday morning and have turned on the TV and seen some of those televangelists on the screen? Some are better than others but I wonder if you have ever herd someone like that preach a message that just didn't quite sit right with you. Chances are it was a message that went something like this, "if you are obedient and faithful to God he will bless you abundantly. Now sure, that's what the first half of today's reading says isn't it, "God is able to bless you abundantly"?

But wait, there is one small difference, a small and easily overlooked difference. Our televangelist says "will bless you" and the Bible says, "is able to bless". Let's look more closely at what today's verse actually says. It say's God is able to bless you abundantly... SO THAT... at all times and in all things you will have what you need to abound in good works. In other words, God blesses us abundantly, not for our own comfort and piece of mind, but so that we will have everything we need to serve others with everything He has given us.

The reality is God has already been generous to us in giving us Jesus, which is much more than any of us actually deserve. Anything that he might choose to bless us with beyond that is really for the sake of others, so let's use it wisely.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for your generosity towards me which you have shown in offering your on Jesus to take my place upon the cross. Please help me to use the new life you have given me through Him, to generously serve those in my community who you are calling me to serve. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle