Financial Grace

by Dr. Gary Linton | Updated December 10th, 2023

In 2 Corinthians 8:2, the Macedonians were experiencing financial hardship. In the midst of their difficulty, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”

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It’s time God’s people begin to believe Him for financial breakthroughs. As with the plagues of Egypt, the people of God were spared when the plagues were all around them. He wants to do the same for us, to show a definite distinction between us and the world, including financial blessing.

We Must Sow Liberally (2 Corinthians 9:6)

The degree of financial grace upon our life is contingent upon how liberally we sow our financial seed. This includes but goes beyond tithing. If we sow a little, we will reap a little. If we sow bountifully, we will reap bountifully.

It’s not necessarily the size of the gift we sow as much as how we sow proportionately to what we have. The Macedonians gave liberally out of their deep poverty and need (2 Corinthians 8:2). It’s very hard to be faithful with your tithes and offerings when you are not sure how you will make ends meet. However, it is here we reveal we can be trusted with more financial grace (Luke 16:10-12).

We Must Give Willingly (2 Corinthians 9:7)

If we give grudgingly, with an attitude or out of compulsion, it nullifies the effect of what we have given. We must give in faith and joy because we want to bless God, His people and the work of the ministry. This was the foundation for giving even under the old covenant.

Exodus 25:2 – “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart you shall take my offering.”

Exodus 35:5 – “Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord.”

Exodus 35:29 – “The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work.”

We Will Lack Nothing (2 Corinthians 9:8)

All sufficiency in all things means that we lack nothing in any area of life. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for that! It does not mean we will never be tested, but once we have passed the test and remain faithful, we will have “all sufficiency in all things.”

Many of you have been going through a time of testing. During this time of financial crisis, God wants to bring you into a place of all sufficiency. He will do so when things are looking bad everywhere else so that both you and the world will know it is God.

We Will Be a Blessing to Others (2 Corinthians 9:8)

God doesn’t bless us for blessing sake alone. He does so for a purpose. He blesses us so we might be a blessing (Genesis 12:2). When He gives you sufficiency in all things He expects you to be faithful with what He has given you. In other words, when you see a need He expects you to take from your abundance and meet that need. Take from the blessings He has bestowed upon you and do good with it.

Others Will Give Thanks to God (2 Corinthians 9:11-13)

When we give to meet the needs of others (people and ministries) it produces thanksgiving and praise to God in the lives of the receivers. Paul is saying that as we give liberally it increases the worship of God. People begin praising God (increase their praise and its intensity) because of the grace you have shown through your giving.

Prayer Will be Made on Your Behalf (2 Corinthians 9:14)

As you bless and meet the needs of others through your giving, they will pray for you more and with greater intensity.

2 Corinthians 9:14 – “They will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.”

Let’s believe that God is going to bestow upon His people an abundance of financial grace, in spite of what may be going on in the world around us.