WHICH CAUSETH . . . THANKSGIVING TO GOD

Today’s reading commences with the agricultural metaphor frequently used in scripture, that of the sower and his seed. The principle always remains the same - the more I sow, the more I reap. This extends to monetary matters and our associated sense of responsibility. These Macedonian believers gave from their ‘deep poverty’ which ‘abounded unto the riches of their liberality’, 2 Cor. 8. 2.

To such believers, God’s love is particularly directed, for He ‘loveth a cheerful giver’. Not only is the amount given noted by God, but the spirit in which it is given. But notice in verse 8 of our reading that ‘God is’ - the reality of God; ‘God is able’ - the ability of God; ‘God is able to make all grace abound’ - the liberality of God. We have a mighty God, and He will never be any man’s debtor. Thus, as we give, from resources meagre or great, He will always be sure to meet our needs over and above.

Therefore, we are encouraged to enter into this God glorifying sequence of events - we give to Him; He meets the needs of others; our needs are also met - all of which gives us much cause to render praise and worship to our omniscient God! He doesn’t provide only for our material needs in this sequence, but our spiritual lives are enriched beyond measure. To begin with, we have an exercise before God; God directs us in this; we share in meeting the needs of others; we hear of how the Lord met their needs; we praise God for our part in this! What a remarkable spiritual experience this is, all emanating from a life of prayer which enables us to be prompted by the Spirit of God and causes praise to be offered to Him.

But as we think of all this, the Apostle moves our thoughts on in prayerful thanksgiving, ‘Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift’. God’s giving will always exceed ours, for here is a gift which can never be fully told out. His Son is the greatest gift ever to be bestowed. We can never exhaust our thanks, for the gift itself is inexhaustible. Here, then, is the principle which should support our giving: only the best for Him. So, our worship will be enhanced, and our prayer life enriched, in such response to His bountifulness towards us.