Hey
Wanna hear something awesome? Listen keenly to today’s Holy Nougat
“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 9:8 NIV
That’s some serious blessings! Success in every aspect of what we do … good work. Having felt the sting of failure and disappointment a few times; this one is hard for me to wrap my head around.
Isn’t it ironic that for many of us, imagining God as the True Source of all good gifts is not so easily fathomed; but we readily challenge God from that standpoint when it’s not quite happening for us? Ouch. Call us contrary
But back to the issue at hand. This comes as part of a larger exhortation on giving. There, the Pauline writer (may or may not be Paul) speaks about our approach to giving back to God. The argument continues with the invitation to see God with a wider lens; to recognize the extent of God’s desire to pour out upon us abundantly beyond measure.
Many of us scoff. That’s ‘prosperity’ Gospel propaganda. Perhaps it is. Yet part of the reason prosperity ideology succeeds is that there are people who are exceptionally successful in ‘every good work’. Not necessarily Christian. And we scarcely question their success (beyond occasionally wishing we had access to some of those resources); even when we harbour doubts about the possibility for ourselves. Why?
Are we afraid of the responsibility which is accorded successful children of God, by God? Are we sold to the idea that God doesn’t gift us with abundance on this side of eternity? (Consider Abraham, the Children of Israel on leaving Egypt – do they count for anything?) And if the enemy of our souls would ‘generously’ give good gifts; is God truly incapable of genuinely generosly giving good gifts to us humans? If us humans can choose to be generous with ourselves, our time, our resources, our gifts and skills; can’t God do likewise?
Today we are encouraged to see that possibility. That at all times we are blessed and equipped with all we need in order to succeed. By God’s generosity!
Perhaps it’s time to ask.
Good morning
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
