And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
—2 Corinthians 9:8
In chapter nine of 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks about financial giving. He declares in 2 Corinthians 9:8 that God can make all grace abound toward us so we can trust His provision, enabling us to be generous. In Philippians 4:19, Paul also assures us that God will supply all needs according to His riches in glory. God’s grace isn’t just for salvation but also for empowering our daily lives. He supplies what we need to accomplish His work in this world. His provision is unlimited.
This verse doesn't say, “God will make all grace abound toward you.” It says that God is able and willing to supply every need of a cheerful giver, but this supply doesn’t just happen. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 also dismisses the idea that God only supplies our bare needs. He is willing and able to make “all” grace abound toward us.
“Charis” is the Greek word for “grace.” One derivative of “charis” is “charisma,” which translates as a “free gift” (Strong’s Concordance). Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines “charisma” as “a gift of grace, a gift involving grace on the part of God as the Donor.” God is our donor. He graces us with His provision so we can grace His work in the lives of others.
The word “abound” means “to be great in number or amount; to be fully supplied” (American Heritage Dictionary). Whatever hardships we face in this life, God’s grace “abounds” much more (Romans 5:20). The Lord desires that we are “fully supplied” and have “sufficiency in all things.” It is not God’s will for us to suffer financially.
Deuteronomy 8:18 states, “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
People who argue against financial success point to examples of people who have sought riches to fulfill their own lusts. They rightly say these people are selfish and corrupt because of their greed. God desires us to be prosperous not for our selfish ambitions but for His purposes.
Genesis 12:2 says, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.”
The intention of God’s prosperity is to bless us so that we can bless and help others. If we are unselfish with our prosperity, those blessings are wonderful. If we are selfish with our financial blessings, we degrade the grace with which His blessings were given to us.
2 Corinthians 9:8 describes abundant financial blessings in our lives, where we can “abound in every good work.” This means we should never be unable to give to any good cause. Satan has convinced many Christians that God wants them to always be poor, causing many good works to go unfunded.
Money isn’t evil. It is our love of money that is (1 Timothy 6:10). If you're always thinking about the amount of money you have—whether it is a lot or too little, you are thinking about the wrong thing. What money can do for you is your concern. You are thinking about yourself and your needs instead of others and their needs. If you are blessed in this life, God has blessed you to have an abundance for every good work. He has given you sufficiency in all things. As a man thinks in His heart, He is (Proverbs 23:7). Believe Him for even more abundance so you can bless others as He has blessed you.
God desires you to have an overflow of His blessings so He can overflow into the lives of others. He wants you to have His abundance for “every” good work, not just one or two. God has given you sufficiency in all things. Never limit Him. Never forget that He gives more grace to the humble (James 4:6). Believe Him and expect to be more blessed so you can be a greater blessing in His Kingdom. Favor others abundantly as God has favored you.
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