Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

15 September 2025

Reading From II Corinthians 8

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints”—II Corinthians 8:1-4

God wants us to be cheerful givers, generously tending to the needs of others no matter what our present circumstances are. As born again believers, we have the refreshing well of the Spirit within us that will never run dry. We carry Him with us in our hearts and minds even as we’ll travel through the barren wastelands of this fallen, sinful world we live in.

If we have Christ within us, we have everything. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” In Him we lack no good thing. He provides over and above our every need spiritually and temporally and teaches us that it is better to give than to receive.

As we seek His will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven, think of the conditions in that paradise. Is there any lack in God’s Presence? No. Lack is a negative effect of the fall state of mankind. As we trust in Jesus, we trust that He will provide and show us opportunities to be generous to others. He blesses us not to hoard, but to share His abundance with others.

“Lord Jesus, open our hearts, minds and hands to receive from You and then generously give what we have to others. May we give cheerfully of our own accord and not under compulsion. In You our cups run over with overflowing blessings. Make us truly grateful and in turn help us to be generous we pray in the Name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.—Luke 6:38

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. —II Corinthians 9:6-8