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. as it is written, “he has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” [2 corinthians 9:8-9]
we serve an able God. can we just stop for a minute and thank the Lord that he is able? we are not able to do anything in our flesh, however hard we may try. but God is gracious, and will finish the good work he started in us! (phil 1:6)
he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? romans 8:32
God already did the hard thing (did not spare his own Son), because he wants to do what he loves (graciously give us all things.) he delights in making us happy in him. so if Christ is our treasure (matt 13:44), and, God has endless grace toward us, then we are promised endless amounts of joy in our treasure! this is amazing news for us.
the man paul is describing from psalm 112:9 is a righteous man who fears the Lord. we know that to be righteous, we must be found in Christ (2 cor 5:21). so this man, found in Christ, sowing in righteousness, is holding loosely the things entrusted to him. he is generous, he is compassionate toward others, he is aware of the real treasure. and since the seed sown to him is imperishable (1 peter 1:23), then the seed he sows (his righteousness) endures forever. paul is saying this man can describe us as well! when we treasure Christ, if he truly is our all in all, everything else will pale in comparison, we will delight in giving everything we have and everything we are back to him, and we will be completely satisfied to be a pleasing aroma of Christ to God, longing with anticipation to hear, “well done, good and faithful servant.” our able God will make all grace abound to us. we will have all sufficiency in all things at all times. we will abound in every good work. and our righteousness will last forever! do these promises excite you?
believer– rejoice in these promises! thank the Lord for his gracious promises and his faithfulness for having fulfilled them in Christ. ask God to show you areas of your life that you treasure more than Christ. repent and return to the joy of his presence.
unbeliever– behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! look at him! look at what God has done for you by not sparing his own Son, but giving him up for you. turn from your earthly treasures, and make Christ your treasure! he alone will satisfy your soul. in his presence is fullness of joy! (psalm 16:11)
~arwen eastman