“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 -

We hear from some quarters about the so-called ‘health and wealth’ gospel – the idea that if we trust in God, then good health and overflowing wealth are as good as guaranteed. For some it is an enticing doctrine, yet it seems to bear no relation to the ‘man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief’ we recognize in Jesus, nor indeed to Paul’s own sufferings. Then again, it is not as though God wants us to be sick and to live in poverty! This passage has much to say about the generosity of God toward us and God’s ability ‘to bless you abundantly, so that … you will abound in every good work’ (v . There is indeed a promise here that those who freely take the risk of giving all to God and imitating God’s generosity will have no cause to fear that they will go without (v 6).

Prayer: Generous One, I long to give in thankfulness and joy, for the furtherance of the gospel around the world.

(A summary from Encounter with God)