Another verse I’ve found encouraging during this time of extended support raising is found in 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV):

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Here’s what I’ve been learning from this:

1. Similar to my last post, it is God who is able to make all grace abound. To abound means to be abundant, to overflow!
2. Again, God is able to make this happen!
3. One of the results of this (but not the end result) is having all sufficiency (this could also be translated “contentment”), that is, in all things all the time!
4. And the end result: so that I may abound in every good work (or “have an abundance for every good deed” – NAS).
5. I note that Paul writes these things in the context of talking about generosity. When money is tight, my natural reaction is to hold onto it tightly. But there’s a difference between being wise with money (not using it frivolously) and being selfish with it. Therefore, knowing that God’s grace is sufficient for me, I still need to have a generous attitude. It helps to remember who the money I have actually belongs to.

For other CCC staff, or those who have had to raise money for similar sorts of things, what are some things that God has taught you through times of support raising?

I’ve been reading through Philippians, and came across the familiar 4:19 (ESV):

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

What can I learn from this? Well, a few things!

• Firstly it is God who will supply our needs. Obviously he does this as I work to raise the money I need, but in the end, it’s him who provides.
• God will supply my needs. Not might, but will.
• For God to supply my needs, that mean he also knows my needs. This is encouraging when times are hard.
• If I know that God knows my needs, and that he will supply them, then I know that he has the riches to supply them.
• In this case, God’s riches are in his glory in Jesus Christ. This glory is even greater than money; how easy is it then for him to provide money!

I look forward to sharing more of what I’ve been learning with you soon.