Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

16 September 2025

Reading From II Corinthians 9

“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.  As it is written,

‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” —II Corinthians 9:6-9

God wants to bless His faithful children in every way. The Gospel is a message for body, soul and spirit. The context of this passage has to do with collecting money to be sent to impoverished believers who were struggling financially. God takes care of His kids spiritually and temporally and we are to share those blessings with others rather than hoard them for ourselves. If we do not share, our goods will spoil.

God cares about the intentions of our hearts. He knows what motivates us and whether or not we are acting in good faith, sincerity and love. It is better to give than to receive and He knows if we are giving only to see what we can get.

It’s important not to compartmentalize different areas of our lives. Everything is interconnected and blended together as we see here in II Corinthians. As the followers of Jesus gave generously to those in need, God gave not only sufficiency but abundance for His glory and their good.

“Lord, bring clarity to our hearts and minds for what it means to steward the resources You gave entrusted to us. Help us to give with open hands not expecting anything in return, but grateful when You do pour out Your blessings upon us. You sustain us and bless us in every way. Give us Your knowledge and wisdom in these matters. Keep our hearts from greed. Help us to find satisfaction and fulfillment in Your Presence. In the Name of our Father who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, Amen.”

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.—Acts 20:35