Financial Grace: 2 Corinthians 9:8

2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you.” In the context grace refers to finances and giving. The Corinthians and Macedonians were experiencing financial hardship (2 Corinthians 8:2) and in the midst of their difficulty Paul writes that God is able to make financial grace to abound to them.

I really feel that as our nation is in this recession, God wants His people to begin to believe Him for financial breakthroughs. As when the plagues came upon Egypt but didn’t touch the people of God in Goshen, God desires to do the same for us. As our Nation goes through this financial upheaval, God wants to so deal with us showing a definite distinction between us and the world. Contextually, there are a number of preconditions to this grace in our lives. Here are a few things Paul said to the Corinthians.

We must sow liberally (2 Corinthians 9:6). The degree of financial grace upon our life is contingent upon how liberally we sow our financial seed. If we sow a little we will get little in return. If we sow bountifully (a lot) we will reap bountifully (get a lot back in return). It’s not necessarily the size of the gift we sow as much as it is how we sow in proportion to what we have. The Macedonians gave liberally out of their poverty and need (2 Corinthians 8:2). It’s very hard to be faithful with your tithes and offerings when you are not sure how you will make ends meet. However, it is here we reveal we can be trusted with more financial grace (Luke 16:10-12).

We must give with a willing heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). If we give grudgingly (with an attitude) it nullifies the effect of what we have given. We must give in faith and joy because we want to bless God and His work.

Financial grace is bestowed upon us in order that we might have all sufficiency in all things (2 Corinthians 9:8). All sufficiency in all things means that we lack nothing in any area of life. I don’t know about you but I am ready for that. It does not mean that we will never be tested but once we have passed the test and remain faithful, we will have all sufficiency. Some of you have been going through this time of testing for some time now. During this time of financial crisis in our nation, God wants to bring you out into a place of all sufficiency. He will do so when things are looking bad everywhere else so that you and the world will know it is God.

We must abound to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). God doesn’t bless us for blessing sake alone. He does so for a purpose. He blesses us in order that we might be a blessing (Genesis 12:2). When He gives you all sufficiency in all things He expects you to be faithful with what He has given you. In other words, when you see a need He expects you to take from your abundance and meet that need. Take from the blessings He has bestowed upon you and do good with it and that in abundance.

We will give thanks to God (2 Corinthians 9:11-13). When we give to meet the needs of others (people and ministries) it produces thanksgiving and praise to God. Paul is literally saying that as we give liberally it increases the worship of God. People begin praising God (increase their praise and its’ intensity) because of the grace you have shown through your giving.

We increase the amount of prayer on our behalf (2 Corinthians 9:14). In a since you are purchasing prayer on your behalf. Think about it, as you bless and meet the needs of others through your giving, it stands to reason that they will pray for you more and with greater intensity.

Let’s believe that God will begin to bestow upon His people an abundance of financial grace, in spite of what may be going on in the world around us.

About Gary Linton

With over 35 years of church planting, teaching and ministry experience, Gary Linton's message to pastors, ministers and church leaders is never give up! If you have a question or problem you would like to discuss, send Pastor Linton a message here or follow Ministrymaker on Twitter.