Everybody needs money in this life. Money is a tool. It buys food, pays for housing, clothing, gas, water, and electricity. While we need it to take care of necessities, God wants us to use money to bless others! 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 says, And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Did you notice how powerful Paul said your giving can be? When you give generously, you cause people to give thanks to God. So, although today’s news headlines are filled with negative economic news, you as a Faith Leader, can and should continue to give generously to others because God is able to make all grace abound toward you so you can have more than enough to be a blessing.
The Holy Spirit Brings Abundance
According to 2 Corinthians 9:8, grace empowers you to have all sufficiency (abundance) in all things. Although they sing the hymn with the same title, few Christians know how amazing grace really is! Grace means many things in the New Testament, including empowerment, anointing, and divine favor. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Grace in Hebrews 10:29, and the Holy Spirit provides abundance. He is not poor, downtrodden, or lacking in resources. The Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Trinity, knows how to increase you financially regardless of the world’s economic issues.
The Graciousness of our Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus became poor so you, through Him, could be rich! 2 Corinthians 8:9 says, for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
The word grace in 2 Corinthians 8:9 means graciousness. It describes someone of a superior rank who lowers Himself so He could raise our position. I don’t believe there is any scriptural evidence that Jesus’ earthly ministry lacked. He kept a large crew on the road, and that takes money. When Paul wrote though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor. He was referring to the fact that Jesus left heaven, where the streets are gold, and the gates are giant pearls. He left the place of no lack, pain, or sorrow, to walk among men, who often face lack, pain, and sorrow. Through His poverty, we might be rich. That is the graciousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rich means Rich
I know some Faith Leaders might say, “Wait a minute, Bishop! Doesn’t the word rich in 2 Corinthians 8:9 refer to spiritual wealth?” I’m glad you asked!
The word rich in 2 Corinthians 8:9 is plouteo in Greek. It means rich, wealthy, increased with goods!
Jesus came to swap with you in all areas of life. If you were sick, He took the sickness and gave you healing. If you were depressed, He took that and gave you joy, and if you were lacking financially, He took your lack and increased you with goods by His grace, the Holy Ghost.
It doesn’t matter if gas prices get to $15 a gallon or if people are prophesying economic doom. It won’t touch those who operate under the grace of God. Grace always finds a way. The Holy Ghost inside of you will show you how to prosper so you can be generous on every occasion and your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.