| The Christian Life | August 1946 |
All-Sufficient
Abounding Grace
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”—II Corinthians 9:8
THERE is so much meaning to the words in this text that it might be said to contain spiritual meat in concentrated form. It is a comprehensive and all-embracing text. It comes in the midst of an apostolic exhortation to, and a commendation of the Corinthian brethren because of their liberality in contributing toward the temporal needs of their less fortunate brethren elsewhere. In the last verse of the chapter Paul says, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
It would seem that the previous and unexpected liberality of the Corinthian saints had reminded him of how much God has done for us and that, in providing the means for supplying the material needs of their brethren and thus being their benefactors, they were manifesting an important characteristic of godlikeness; so he takes the occasion, in the words of our text, to remind the brethren at Corinth, and us, that God is able to “make all grace” abound toward us.
The apostle does not mean that God will always give his sacrificing saints an abundance of temporal good things, because frequently this would result in their spiritual impoverishment; but he does mean that our Heavenly Father is able, and also willing, to make his favor abound toward us in all ways that will be for our highest spiritual welfare. Paul himself had learned how to abound in temporal blessings, and he had learned also how to suffer need; but through all these experiences he also had learned that the grace of God had never failed him. The love of God seems to have gripped the great apostle to such an extent that he seemed unable to find suitable words adequately to express his understanding and appreciation of God’s grace which appeared to him to be boundless, inexhaustible.
In the words of this text, three great truths are expressed pertaining to our precious relationship to God: (1) there is the inflow of divine blessings; (2) the possession of these blessings; and (3) the outflow of blessings for the benefit of others. This operation of divine grace is well illustrated by a fountain. Usually there is a pipe coming up through the center of the statue, through which the water flows, emptying itself into a basin which is underneath. When the basin is full, the water trickles over the edges into the pond or lake beneath. Here we have a picture of the grace of God overflowing to us, remaining in us, and out-flowing to others.
The Inflow
First there must be the inflow of divine favor, and in connection with this the apostle suggests three thoughts: (a) the power of God—God is able; (b) the provision of God—divine grace; and (c) the prodigality of God—he makes all grace abound.
The power of God—God is able! What thoughts it induces concerning the greatness of Jehovah God! The human mind is so limited that we have but a poor conception of such a glorious Being: “From everlasting to everlasting”—the self-existing One. Consider him as the Creator, and the vastness of his creation. Astronomers often call our attention to the immensity of some of the stars. We are astounded at the figures they give us. What a wonderful mind is revealed in the planning of such mighty worlds as these. Indeed, as the prophet declares, it is only the fool that saith in his heart, “There is no God.”—Psalm 14:1; 53:1
David’s mind was much impressed with the greatness of God when he wrote the 8th Psalm. Note the language: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained.” The Prophet Isaiah (ch. 40) also speaks eloquently of God’s greatness, saying, “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span?”
What measureless resources of power and wisdom must reside in God who planned all these wonders! We are only now beginning to learn something of God’s greatness as revealed in his creative works, and what glory is reflected in the little we are able to understand. But we appreciate God’s greatness more as we come to understand his character as revealed in his wonderful plan of salvation.
Through the plan of salvation we see ourselves as living examples of the power and love of God. We were all servants of sin, but now, through his love and power we have been rescued. His strong arm is ever being exercised on behalf of his children, and the conviction of the all-conquering ability of God should be very real to each one of us. One of the great sins of natural Israel was doubt. Their attitude of doubt caused them to question God’s ability to furnish them, while in the wilderness, with the necessities of life. Is God able? seemed to be the attitude of that unbelieving people, and thus they prevented the inflow of blessings from the Holy One of Israel.
Both Able and Willing
The question which often stood out in the attitude of God’s typical people was, Can God? But the promises of God, ratified by the death and resurrection of Jesus supply the answer—God can! Yes, “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham”; “God is able to make ‘you’ stand” “complete in him”; “He is able also to save them unto the uttermost”; “He is able to succor them that are tempted”; “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly”; etc.—Matt. 3:9; Rom. 14:4; Col. 2:10; Heb. 7:25; 2:18; Eph. 3:20
The ability of God is something upon which we can depend. Do we feel faint? Are we weary? Then let us remember that God, the Almighty One, “giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might, he increaseth strength … they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Isa. 40:29,31) Are we fearful? It is this strong One who says to us, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee … I will uphold thee.” (Isa. 41:10) In the operation of his grace it is not our weakness that counts, but his strength. Yes, God is able. God can give the grace that he has so abundantly promised.
God makes his grace to abound, and this abounding grace—comprehending all his blessings to us, both temporal and spiritual—is his loving provision for his people. Being sinners by nature, we have done nothing to merit such loving graciousness. God has bestowed such grace upon us that we were led step by step to Jesus, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) We learned how we could get life through faith in him. Through consecration and spirit begettal, we were translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. We learned too, that through Love’s great sacrifice we could become reconciled to the Heavenly Father and become his children. This was indeed wonderful, but it was not all. He continued to give grace upon grace. He told us a secret—still a secret to millions—he called us aside, as it were, and told us of his loving purpose concerning the church; how he intends through her, as the promised “seed,” to bless all mankind. And—oh, what marvelous grace!—he told us that we could have a part in that seed of which Christ is the Head, if we would but enter the training school, and learn well the lessons there intended for us.
Yes, he has revealed to us the very riches of his grace in that he has opened up to us the privileges of this “high calling.” (Phil. 3:14) Constrained by such love we entered his service, desiring that his will might be done in us. So it is that he enlightened us. He accepted us. He gave us his Holy Spirit and has begotten us to a new nature. We were given an Insight into the mysteries of divine love which are hidden in his wonderful Word. Oh the depth of the riches of his grace toward us! Life under any favorable circumstances is a great boon, but he has promised us life on the highest plane of all, the divine, there to be heirs of God and joint-heirs of Christ. Surely, we are not worthy of such favors. Yes, it is all by grace, God’s grace, ever flowing from him to us—“Grace, ’tis a charming sound.”
God Abundantly Supplies
The expression, “to make all grace abound,” is one of the high notes of this epistle. God does not dole out his blessings in a niggardly fashion—he is not sparing. The fountain flows copiously, generously, lavishly—always abounding—not a mere trickle, but a veritable torrent. As his power is great, so is his grace full and free and generous: “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:11,12) Is not that like our great God? “The earth is full of thy riches. … These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. … Thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.”—Psalm 104:24-28
No, there is nothing mean or miserly about God: “Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open unto you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Mal. 3:10) Yes, how our cup of blessing overflows if we conform our lives to his will! How sumptuously we feed at the table of his supplying!
Possession
What do we receive from the Lord? Merely a sufficiency? Not only are we supplied enough or as much as we need, but God also provides abundantly of his grace, which means more than merely that which is enough. And why does he give us more than enough? Because he wants us to have something to pass on to others without impoverishing ourselves. There is no waste in the economy of God’s grace. We can make no personal use of that which is more than enough. All beyond sufficiency is designed for others. But if others are to be enriched from us it must be from the overflow and not from that which God intends for ourselves. But if our hearts are in the right attitude before God there is sure to be a copious overflow of his grace to us, and through us to others. Let us make the proper use of divine grace so that we will not be among those who will say, “They made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.”—Song of Solomon 1:6
We are like a vessel filled to the brim, and that which overflows is the grace which is designed for others, and which is above our needs; but if we fail to make proper use of the overflow we will soon find ourselves lacking even in the grace which we need for ourselves—“there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”—Prov. 11:24
What is your particular need? God will supply it. The range is as wide as the love and purpose of God—all-sufficient for all needs: “I can do all things through Christ”; “all things are possible to him that believeth.” (Phil. 4:13; Mark 9:23) Our lack of faith is so often a hindrance to the inflow of divine grace; indeed, it is often the only hindrance. God is willing, but through lack of faith we may fail to receive that which he would bestow. He has promised all things for our needs as new creatures in Christ Jesus, so let us rely fully upon those promises and realize those needs actually supplied. By faith let us translate his promises into the realities of divine grace inflowing to us, and overflowing for the blessings of others.
Esau Had Enough; Jacob Had All
Jacob, returning home after about thirty years’ absence (Gen. 31:41), was much concerned and afraid when he’ heard that Esau was coming to meet him, so he sent Esau a present of cattle, etc., in advance. He also sent his womenfolk and children to meet him. Esau, however, received Jacob kindly, and “fell on his neck, and kissed him. … And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself. And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand. … Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.”—Gen. 33:4-11
According to the King James translation, both of these men said, “I have enough.” There are, however, two different Hebrew words used in this account for the word “enough.” Esau meant that he had a goodly store of the earthly things, and was therefore happy. But Jacob’s mind was evidently on something better than cattle, for he said, according to the Hebrew, “I have all things.” Jacob’s was a mind of faith, hence he was thinking of the great promise which was his—the promise made to Abraham, and to his father Isaac.
This covenant promise transcended everything in Jacob’s estimation. With that promise and its concomitant blessings he was rich indeed, and could truly say, “I have all things.” Should it not be so with us also? What matters it how much or how little of earthly goods we possess so long as we can claim the exceeding great and precious promises by which we are assured of a heavenly inheritance, and joint-heirship with Christ in his future kingdom of blessing.
To the church God says, “All things are yours.” (I Cor. 3:21,22) That’s why it is said that we can be “filled with the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:19) Is it too good to be true? And note, it is “always having all sufficiency in all things,” not “sometimes.” From the moment of consecration and begettal as new creatures in Christ Jesus, the power of God is ever exercised on our behalf. The grace of God endows us with everything necessary to enable us to have his will worked out in our daily lives, everything which will help to produce in us a copy likeness of Jesus in faithfulness to the covenant of sacrifice which we have made with God.
“He Careth For You”
Yet we often act as if we had forgotten that the Heavenly Father has such a keen interest in us—an interest which never fails. But while we may forget, he never forgets—“Behold I have graven thee on the palms of my hands.” (Isa. 49:16) Yes, our Heavenly Father holds each one of us in his hand, and no one can pluck us out of his power and watch-care except our own selves. What a confidence this should give us.
From the very moment we associate ourselves with his dear Son, the Heavenly Father’s arms are round about us, and he never leaves us. From the time when he began the work of sanctification in us, he has been, and will continue to be, in the background, as it were, shaping every circumstance of our lives, arranging his providences on our behalf so that they will work for our highest welfare as new creatures.
Business people enter into business with the thought of making a success of it. Even so, our Heavenly Father enters into relationship with us to the end that we may pass through our probationary period successfully. He wants us to be overcomers, but we must do our part—we must co-operate with him. Our Heavenly Father’s business has no place for sleeping partners.
We are to be workers together with him, acknowledging his wisdom to control and overrule in all our affairs. Obeying his instructions; we may confidently expect to share in the success which will attend his plans. But if we do not co-operate with him, we cannot continue in the partnership, and shall be discharged as unfaithful servants. There can be no doubt that our Heavenly Father will do everything in his power to avert such a disastrous outcome, but it remains with us to make use of every means of grace so bountifully and freely supplied to us.
Of our grace-supplying God it is truly written that he is “from everlasting to everlasting,” and that, like Jesus, he is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Psa. 90:2; Heb. 13:8) What confidence this assurance of permanency should give us. He is the eternal source of all sufficiency. His grace enables us to cultivate the patience to endure, thus making obedience easy and suffering light. It is this fact of the riches of God’s great storehouse of grace that enables us to meet all the emergencies and overcome all difficulties which otherwise might turn us aside from our course—the narrow way. Yes, God is the source of all grace, and especially is he a “very present help in trouble.”—Psalms 46:1
He is the God of the future, the God of hope on whom we may rely. Our past and present supplies of abounding grace from his storehouse give serenity and security for the future. Surely from such an infinite source there must be an infinite supply to meet every need, to compensate for every sorrow of the individual Christian, to cope with every situation in which the members of his church may be placed. And let us remember this when passing through the barren places of our Christian experience; as, for example, those apparently fruitless occasions when we have seized an opportunity to tell the glad tidings of the kingdom and there has been no response.
Then again, we may wonder how we shall meet this question or that question, and what shall we say when we are opposed. Let us remember that God never sends his messengers upon his errands without informing them and instructing them what to say. Yes, God’s grace takes care of these situations also; perhaps not always to our liking, but in any event to his glory.
Crosses, Blessings in Disguise
Many times in our lives we are brought face to face with questions which must be settled—difficult problems to be solved. Decisions based upon human wisdom would infrequently lead to disaster; but new creatures in Christ Jesus are assured that if they endeavor to meet these problems as God would have them met, and not to please themselves, divine grace will direct the issues so that “all things will work together for good” to them, because they “love God,” and because they have been “called according to his purpose.”
Yes, divine grace will always take us through trouble, but it will not always deliver us from trouble. It is no sign that God has forsaken us, if storms continue to assail and endeavor to overwhelm us nor is it a sign of greater spirituality to be free of trials. Frequently, it is the proud and wicked who call themselves happy in this time of testing and trial of the true church of God. But God has promised, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”
Though we may not always be spared from trouble, nor delivered from our trials, some good may always come out of them. The Apostle Paul was shipwrecked, and as a result the island of Melita received the gospel. Lazarus died, but Mary and Martha had a marvelous exhibition of the resurrection. “They that go down to the sea in ships, … these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.” (Psa. 107:23,24) It is often in the deep waters of affliction that the mighty works of God are made manifest. “The children of Israel … looked … and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.” (Exod. 16:10) Yes, it is often in a cloud of great trouble that God’s glory is most distinctly seen.
The Outflow
“That ye … may abound to every good work.” The fullness or overflowing of God resides in Christ. He is the channel through which God’s grace comes to us, and “of his fullness have all we received.” (John 1:16) Yes, we have the overflow, and what shall we do with it? It is this that we should pass on to others, knowing that God has abounded toward us. We get no blessing simply from mere selfish enrichment. The only way to be able to appreciate a blessing is to give it away. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) If we hesitate to pass it on we shall lose it—“Whosoever will save his life shall lose it.”—Matt. 16:2 5
We should not keep ourselves shut up continually, month after month, with the Word of God, when there are hungry ones waiting for the bread of life which we can give because we have learned the secret of the comfort-giving God. If we hide ourselves away to enjoy God’s blessings for ourselves alone, our souls will become unfruitful in the work of the Lord. The highest life, the one really dwelling on the mountain top, is the one that cannot be hid. It is a life which has sympathy for the cares and sorrows of others. We cannot grow spiritually unless we are helping some one else to grow. This is true of individuals, and is true also of ecclesias. Every ecclesia should recognize that as they have been blessed of the Lord, they should endeavor to pass this blessing on to others.
Are we providing portions of spiritual food for those who desire and require this form of nourishment? Or, are we so eager to “discuss” the truth, and to “study” the truth, that we have no time to practice the principles of the truth? Our attention is often drawn to the need of isolated and lonely brethren, and there are many such. We may say to ourselves that God will provide for them, which, of course, is quite true. But it may be that he wishes to provide for their needs through us, and if we are neglecting our privileges in this respect, we are making him turn to others who will be more willing helpers, because we have become unfaithful servants—sleeping partners, as it were.
We cannot retain our blessings unless we endeavor to pass them on to others of the household of faith. The truth will not properly benefit us unless we share it with somebody else. But if we dispense to others what we have received, its value to us will be the more deeply impressed and we will make the blessing doubly ours.
Many years Abraham waited for his son Isaac. He had the promise of God that he would have a son; and how he did love Isaac when he was granted him. But this joy must have been doubled when Abraham received Isaac back from God after he had given him up as a sacrifice. He then possessed him in a way he could never have done before; and thereby the blessing of God was increased to him by virtue of his greater appreciation. It was then that God confirmed the covenant with his oath—“By myself have I sworn.”—Gen. 22:16-18
What is given to the Lord is always returned many fold. “No man that hath left house … for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time”—the interim dividend—“and in the world to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29,30) If we would have the increase we must sow accordingly. The principle underlying our abounding is found in the abounding of God toward us. Peter said, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”—I Pet. 4:10
How can we minister to those around us? In God’s way! In the way the Master did it—he went about doing good. Men under the condemnation of sin are utterly unable to free themselves. All manmade schemes for the salvation of the world will be proved to be valueless. God’s kingdom is the only panacea for human woes, and we must proclaim this fact. By thus bearing witness to the Lord and the work he came to do, it may inspire hope where no hope now exists. We should proclaim the coming freedom from sin and Satan.
Means for Abounding
God provides the means for our abounding. We can give because we have received. We must continue to receive in order to continue to give to others; and thus to receive we must be in constant communication with the source of our supplies of grace and truth. For the basin of water to remain full to overflowing there must be a continual supply; and ours is a continual supply if we continue to apply for it. “Our fellowship is with the Father, and with the Son, Jesus Christ.”—I John 1:3
The telephone provides an illustration—it is futile to expect to receive a message unless we are properly connected. We must also hold the line of communication. Just so, we must be in living contact with the source and the fountain of divine supply. Branches in the vine can receive the sap only as they remain a part of the plant. Even the weakest member of the body of Christ can do great things if he will but exercise the faith and confidence in God’s willingness and ability to supply his every need, no matter what it may be.
How much should we abound? What is the measure? As God has abounded to us, so we must abound to others; and he gave of his best in the person of his beloved Son. It cost him a very great deal. Did it cost Jesus anything to pass on the knowledge of the Heavenly Father’s love to man? Yes, indeed! He had many bitter experiences, much suffering, and finally it cost him life itself. Should we not follow his example? We should give of our best in the interests of others—abounding to others as he has abounded to us.
And let us also remember that every act of love shown to the brethren of Jesus is counted as done to the Master himself. We should break our alabaster boxes and scatter the contents as tokens of loving service. The women who came to Jesus’ tomb were too late with their ‘spices, but Mary with her precious ointment was not. Why did Mary break her box? Evidently it was in this full gesture of devotion, and to show her love, that she gave all of its fragrance to her Master. What generous love that was!
Love is the end of the commandment—the fulfilling of the law. “Love one another.” How much? “As I have loved you.” Those who do these things will never fail of that abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They who hear the gracious invitation to come up higher are those who have already received an hundredfold in this life, all-sufficiency for all things; and in the world to come, they will receive eternal life in its fullest, grandest sense—glory, honor, immortality, the divine nature.