It is Never in Vain!

IT IS NEVER IN VAIN!

By Ezekiel Kimosop

Have you ever been overwhelmed by church ministry service?

Cheer up because your labor is never in vain!

The Bible says in 2 Cor. 9:10 "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness."

This scripture was written by Paul in his appreciation for the pledge by the Corinthian believers towards supporting the saints in Jerusalem who were faced with famine.

We learn from Paul's statement in 2 Cor. 9:1-2 that the Corinthians had delayed their gift by one year, possibly because of their leadership conflict recorded in First Corinthians.

After receiving the great news about the faithfulness of the Corinthians and their remorse for their rebellion, Paul sent Titus and some unnamed brethren to collect the contribution that they had pledged. He exhorted the Corinthians to be faithful in honoring their pledge so that his boasting about them to the Macedonians will not be in vain.

They were called upon to excel in their giving just as they did in other areas of Christian obedience.

2 Cor. 8:6-7 says "So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also."

What do we learn from this scripture?

We learn from this scripture and the  larger passage contexts of 2 Cor. 8-9 that those who faithfully serve God through their generous giving are blessed by God.

This principle applies to those who sacrificially offer their time, talents and resources for ministry service. It is a noble and honorable thing to serve God from a willing and cheerful heart.

The Bible proclaims in Hebrews 6:10-12 that "...God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Are you zealous for the things of God?

Finally, we learn that it is a godly thing to fulfill one's pledges to God. Whatever we pledge to the church is pledged to God. Similarly, whatever is withheld from the church is withheld from God (cf. Acts 5:1-11).

We should therefore take stock of our unfulfilled pledges and make up for them. Again God is faithful to honor those who faithfully serve Him.

This is not about salvation by works but about diligence in the things of God by those who are already under a covenant relationship with Christ.

It is never in vain...