July 3, 2018 Tuesday

“7 ¶  But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also. 8  I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 10  And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11  but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12  For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. 13  For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14  but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack — that there may be equality. 15  As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”” (2Corinthians 8:7-15 NKJV)

            As human beings is very easy for us to see what we do not have and to close our eyes to what we do have. By focusing on what we do not have we become unthankful, selfish and unable to praise and thank God as we should.

            Paul reminds us we really are rich through Jesus Christ because we have faith, knowledge and love. Worth far more than all worldly riches are the spiritual riches we receive through Jesus Christ!

            Paul also reminds us the cost of these riches because Jesus gave up the riches He possessed and became poor so by His poverty we can receive the spiritual riches of God!

            When we were saved we began a work and a walk that will last us until we see the face of God. We are not saved by works but by salvation we are called to work out our salvation. Like running the race we begin with excitement, endurance and strength but as the race goes on we become weary as the race becomes harder. It is so easy to sit down to rest and just stay there. Then we lose the richness of a life in Jesus Christ!

            Just as we need a balance in our Christian life so we can continue the race there must also be a balance in what we have. Those who have much are called to give to those who have not so there will be a balance and a lack of need. Paul reminds us that in our life there will be times when we have and there will be times when we have not. When we have we are to share with those who have not and when we have not we must trust by faith that those who have will help us!

            God calls for us to see that our faith continues the race and it is lived out by sharing with others just as Jesus took on our poverty and gave to us His wealth!

            If you are a Christian do you realize the riches you have in Jesus Christ? Do you share the riches you have received from God with those who have not? Are you continuing to run the race through the power and love of Jesus Christ?