For every good work. 2 Corinthians 9.8, 9
2 Corinthians 9 (4)
Pray Psalm 52.8, 9.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.
I will praise You forever,
Because You have done it;
And in the presence of Your saints
I will wait on Your name, for it is good.
Sing Psalm 52.8, 9.
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
But as for me may I be seen in God an olive ever green!
Ever in God, most kind and just, shall I with joy and gladness trust!
Thanks evermore to our Savior be raised! His faithfulness be ever praised!
Here with Your people, loving God, I wait upon Your Name, so good!
Read 2 Corinthians 9.1-9; meditate on verses 8 and 9.
Preparation
1. What does Paul say about God’s grace?
2. Why does God do this for us?
Meditation
We have been redeemed and saved in Jesus Christ for good works, which God has ordained from of old—the good works of His Law. Giving to relieve the needs of others is a good work, but here Paul shows that he was using the Corinthians’ promised gift as a synecdoche, one facet of good works used to represent the whole of them. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are to be zealous for good works (Tit. 2.14; 3.1, 8, 14). We must not grow weary in doing them (Gal. 6.9, 10), for it is by good works that we prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ, contribute to the progress of His Kingdom, and make known the glory of God, Who is at work within us willing and doing according to His good pleasure.
God would not command us for such works if He did not also intend to give us the wherewithal to perform them, namely, the will, strength, and resources needed for lives of good works. Smell the glorious bouquet of promises packed into the vase of these two verses:
– God is powerful (δυνατεῖ, dunatei, like dynamite!)
– all grace will abound to us
– always, without fail
– sufficiency, just exactly what we need
– abundance, overflowing and refreshing
– every, not just some
– endures forever: issuing in increasing and lasting righteousness
As we invest our time and strength for good works, God will provide for us as. Plan carefully and continuously for good works. Commit your work to the Lord in prayer throughout the day. Make the most of the time allotted to you for them. Be diligent and faithful in doing good and serving others, and God will grant you sufficiency in all things. Thank and praise Him daily for this promise and for His faithfulness.
And, as you do, bask in the endless and refreshing joy of His Presence in and through you.
Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
The psalm that Paul taps to explain the method through which God chooses to be “able” to make all grace abound (2 Cor. 9.8) shows how we can become useable for this purpose.
“Praise the LORD!
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who delights greatly in His commandments.
His descendants will be mighty on earth;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches will be in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man deals graciously and lends;
he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Surely he will never be shaken;
the righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
He will not be afraid of evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is established;
He will not be afraid…” (Ps. 112.1-8).
This is the person who has:
dispersed abroad,
who has given to the poor;
and whose righteousness endures forever… (Ps. 112.9).
There is a way to become this blessed person, and it is only through the grace of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and our desire to “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2.12).
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!
They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways” (Ps. 119.1-3).
God is able to make all this happen, through His boundless grace, which He freely shares with us; thus, we will share with others boundlessly, willingly, cheerfully, completely, and bountifully.
Because we want to be just like our Father.
“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I AM holy’” (1 Pet.1.13-16).
From this “abundance” boundless grace flows “for every good work” (2 Cor. 9.8).
For reflection
1. How should we approach the Lord to receive a greater abundance of His grace?
2. How do you expect to know the grace of God at work in your life today?
3. How do you expect to spread that grace to others today?
He is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and of temporal good things. He can make us to have enough in all things; and to be content with what we have. God gives not only enough for ourselves, but that also wherewith we may supply the wants of others, and this should be as seed to be sown. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9.6-15
Pray Psalm 52.1-7.
Give thanks and praise to God, Whose grace abounds to us despite our sinfulness and unbelief.
Sing Psalm 521-7.
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Why do the mighty boast in sin? God’s love endures, it knows no end!
They with their tongues vain boasts repeat, and like a razor, work deceit.
Men more than good in evil delight, and lies prefer to what is right.
They utter words both harsh and strong with their devouring, deceitful tongue.
God will forever break them down, uproot, and cast them to the ground!
He from their safety tears them away, no more to know the light of day.
The righteous see and laugh and fear, and say, “Behold, what have we here?
Such are all who at God conspire, and wealth and evil ways desire.”
T. M. and Susie Moore
Growing in prayer
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.
