Worth It!

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. As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 2 Cor 9:8-14 NIV

I have come to love and appreciate this short passage, which up until now, I had glossed over. Maybe you are wondering why the sudden interest, or maybe not, but I will tell you anyway. The church at Corinth was close to Paul’s heart, but when you read the first epistle, you wonder why. The new church was riddled with ungodliness on a massive scale. Immorality was rife, and Paul had to deal severely with the leaders and congregation. Surely it would have been easier to take a step back from this church which used pagan and sexually deviant practices, and did not show the true Gospel of the love of a risen Jesus Christ? But he didn’t. Now fast forward to Paul’s second epistle.

What a change of tone, and it is impossible to miss the pure joy and love which Paul now heaps on his young charge. Paul stayed with his heart and conscience and was able to see the harvest of his efforts. This was a new and different church, and it seemed that all the work was worth it after all. Paul didn’t step back from this church in trouble, even though others would have been whispering in his ear that his efforts would be better served in another church plant elsewhere.

The thing that hit me afresh was not that God had kept faith with Paul, but that this immoral and seemingly ‘hope’less situation at Corinth was within God’s redemption plan too. I don’t think Paul knew the end from the beginning, only God does, but God was faithful to Paul AND the church he had planted. My lesson is that God will work things through in His own time with His own people, and not at our pace. Paul must have known and appreciated this, and so must we! So, who do you think ‘the church’ would be today? I think it’s down to you and me, and God’s love for us is never changing. Great, isn’t it?