Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Co 1:2). Amen.
We have a God of all. What comes to mind when I say that? Perhaps you think of the fact that he created all and now keeps all (Ge 1,2). That would be correct. And since he did, all things belong to him.
The apostle Paul would have us consider the statement, “we have a God of ‘all,’” a bit differently. It is clear in the way that he repeats the word “all.” We have a God of “all” who gives all to us and who gives all through us. Count the “alls” as we read from … [It is a bit of a trick as far as the correct answer, but I will explain in a bit.]
2 Corinthians 9:8-11
Dear People of our good and gracious God,
The Maker of all allows us to be the manager of some. That is when we break out the fancy word “stewardship.” That means that we take care of someone else’s stuff. My classic example is Joseph in the Old Testament. As a slave, he was responsible for the household of Mr. Potiphar (Ge 39:1-6). He was not the owner of anything, but just the overseer of everything.
But it is not simply stewardship. It is Christian stewardship—looking after our possessions as followers of Christ. Our God is at the center. That is because …
We Have a God of “All”
1. Who gives all to us (8)
2. Who gives all through us (8-11)
1. Who gives all to us (8)
We get the concept of gifts because we get them. Some occasions might be for birthdays or Christmas. James reminds us: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (Ja 1:17). Paul makes that point too. We have a God of “all” who gives all to us.
This section of Scripture is taken from a lengthy conversation that Paul has about an offering that the Corinthians were collecting—along with others in the area. It was to help their fellow believers in Jerusalem who were in dire need. Those in Corinth had committed to take part and Paul was encouraging them to complete it so that the donation could be delivered soon (2 Co 8:12).
The apostle is emphatic as he takes up the topic of cheerful giving—not reluctantly or under compulsion (2 Co 9:7). It should not make one sad, but glad. And not a “want to,” but a “get to.”—joyous and generous.
So he calls their attention to God. “God is able” (2 Co 9:8). Ability and capability—God has it. There is no limit. “God is able to make all grace abound to you” (2 Co 9:8). [That is “all” number one if you are counting.] It is not material goods, but divine blessing—grace, undeserved kindness. That would overflow to them. I think of a certain individual when it comes to a $.79 icee from a certain convenience store/gas station. He takes the 24-ounce cup and puts the cover on. Then he pulls the handle and lets the blue raspberry sugary concoction pour in. There is even a shake to have it settle and a squirt or two more. It is not a bit, but a bunch. That is God’s grace given to us. God provides all grace superabundantly.
The Father sent his Son into the world because he loved us (Jn 3:16). Through Jesus, he no longer counts our sins against us (2 Co 5:19). He doesn’t just give spiritual life, but physical life—richly and daily preserving us with what we need (cf. Explanation to the First Article and The Fourth Petition). That is abundant grace.
Jesus, though he was rich, became poor so that we might be eternally rich (2 Co 8:9). He died for all and was raised again (2 Co 4:14,15). We are now right with God (2 Co 5:21). That is abundant grace.
The Holy Spirit has brought us to faith and builds up that faith. He is a deposit, or a down payment, in our hearts, guaranteeing that more blessings will come (2 Co 2:22). That is abundant grace.
God’s grace is not in short supply. We have a God of “all” who gives all to us so that we are blessed.
2. Who gives all through us (8-11)
We get the idea of gifts because we give them. The events might be like weddings or Easter. Jesus relays to us that fathers know how to give the good gifts to their children like bread and fish (Mt 7:9,10). They are not the only ones. Us too. We have a God of “all” who gives all through us.
There is a result, or purpose, behind God’s grace that is more than enough. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Co 9:8). [There it is—“all” 5x in one verse. That is not just trivia. By the way, the 5th “all” comes through in translation as “every.”] “All things, all times, all needed, every good work.” God is a God of “all.” The recourses are more than adequate when it comes to giving our moments to one another as well as our money for one another.
Jesus certainly demonstrated that on a hillside in northern Galilee. The situation seemed impossible—food for 5000+. There was no Roberts Street where there is a restaurant every few feet. There was no pizza delivery in 30 minutes or its free. You hear the hopelessness in two of the disciples.
Philip weighed in: “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (Jn 6:7). His arithmetic was appropriate.
Andrew chimed in: “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (Jn 6:9). His assessment was accurate.
But they didn’t take into account Jesus’ almighty power. When all was said and done, everyone had enough to eat—not just a nibble (Jn 6:12). And there were 12 basketfuls left over—more, much more than with what they started (Jn 6:13). God is able.
And so a Christian can teem with anything that fits into the category of a “good work”—whatever is useful and beneficial (2 Co 9:8). We don’t have to hesitate to give whatever, fearing that we come up short or come up behind. God is able to furnish more. That unnamed man’s gift to Elisha and the school of the prophets is living proof (2 Kings 4:42-44). Twenty loaves of barley bread miraculously fed 100 men. They even had extra to put in Ziploc baggies if they wanted.
There is no reason for us to be hesitant. Paul supports that from the Psalms (Ps 112:9). “As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever’” (2 Co 9:9). That brings to mind a farmer who chucks seeds all over—sowing plentifully, handfuls here and there, to reap plentifully, heapings of this and that (2 Co 9:6). The one who is right with God will live right for God. We just imitate God’s liberality.
Paul turns it back to God. “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Co 9:10). God is the source. The reality that there was seed implies there was a previous harvest. And now there is grain for bread. That will continue to be the case.
If we transfer the imagery, Paul is reinforcing that we receive the means to be cheerful givers from God. In gratitude, we give and give. And God will cause our attitude and our ability and our availability to grow. We sing with psalmist because we are sure: “O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you” (Ps 84:12).
And so Paul continues: “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Co 9:11). [That brings the grand total of “alls” to 7. Again, it comes in the form of 2 “everys.” English is a bit more flexible than Greek, employing two words instead of one.] They will have a singlemindedness of being big-hearted and open-handed, no ulterior motives or hidden agendas.
The result of this will be—for them and us: “through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Co 9:11). It will bring about gratefulness to God.
The givers are thankful to God. That is why we give.
The receivers will be thankful to God for the gifts. Others will join us in giving thanks—to God and for us.
We have a God of “all” who gives all through us so that others are blessed.
I don’t discount the truth that the Lord God called the world into existence. The Bible declares it to be true. He is God of all. But that includes the word “all.” We have a God of “all” who gives all to us. He has been generous to us. We have a God of “all” who gives all through us. We can be generous to others. Thanks be to God. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (1 Co 16:23). Amen.
July 29, 2018
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