"GODLY GIVING AND SUFFICIENCY" 

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

2 Corinthians 9:8

Sufficiency is a word that many of us are having a hard time accepting—let alone putting into practice. The world wants us to "keep getting till there's nothing more to get.”

We're living in a "me first" generation, when putting the needs of others is not always the first option. As long as we have room to store stuff, we want to get more—even when we don't have a necessity for them.

To others, it's a different story. Because of poverty, some people are left with no choice but to depend on others for survival. Some people even resort to participating in illegal transactions to get their next meal. It's sad, but it's also true. It happens—all the time.

Neither of these two faces of modern reality is a choice for Christians. As people who are set apart for God and being transformed into the image of Christ, we have to think and act differently. The Christian way of life is the exact opposite of the direction of the world. That's why we're called to be the salt and light.

In our previous study, we learned that even when life is hard, we still have a choice to give, just like what the Macedonians did. God does not want our giving to be an obligation or an act of conformity. Instead, He wants us to be excited about giving.

Today's verse offers an otherworldly principle and a great challenge at the same time. Paul tells the believers in the region of Achaia that godly giving opens up a door to let God supply their needs as they provide the needs of others. Keep in mind that the promise is open for the things they "need,” not the things they "want.” I think that's the first thing we need to establish. The Lord Jesus made that pretty clear when He taught the disciples how to pray.

It's quite bewildering that when we realize our inability and trust God for supplication, we take a front-row seat and witness how He amazingly provides for our needs. The widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:9-16) is a good example. Amid a great need, she obeyed God's word through the prophet Elijah. She helped the prophet, and in so doing, experienced a miracle that lasted till the drought ended.

God is giving you a promise today that when you put others' needs before yours, He will make sure to take care of you. While this doesn't necessarily mean that He will make you rich, but He will give you what you need—when you need it.

As you mature in Christ, your earthly needs grow less. You begin to eliminate the things that distract you from following Him and choose the things that do matter.

God's grace enables you to mature morally and spiritually, making you more like Christ, whose life on earth was marked by a dedication to address the needs of others before His own. Having His selfless nature is what you and I should aim for.

Jesus didn't have much when He lived on earth, yet He had everything because He found His sufficiency in the Father. Sure, He lived a rather short life and served a brief earthly ministry. But His influence is still relevant today because He lived to help others. May you and I spare no effort to do the same. Let's practice godly giving and find sufficiency in God.

Pursue the Savior today!