To Encourage You

2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!”

As Paul concludes his lengthy discourse on the subject of giving in his letter to the Corinthian church, he exults with the wonderful statement, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” Of course, that gift is the gift of His own Son, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).  So, God has laid down for us all that if we would be like Him, we would be those who generously give.  Though we can never hope to give in a way that comes close to the giving heart of God, we will certainly have a heart to give if His Holy Spirit dwells within us.  It’s an inevitable work of the Spirit of God to transform people from those characterized by either coveting, or giving for a motive other than the glory of God, to gratefully giving with generosity in response to what He has given us.  We love because He first loved us, we forgive because He first forgave us, and we give because of the indescribable gift that He has given us – that’s what truly following God will always look like. 

May God help us to be those who obey His command to “Follow Me,” remembering that He is the Good Shepherd, that gave His life for the sheep.