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. 2 Corinthians 9:8
“In 9:8 the word, “having all you need” translates autarkeia, a word that Greek authors used to mean “self-sufficiency” or “contentment.” The Cynics and Stoics of Paul’s day understood self-sufficiency to be related “to freedom from external circumstances and other people.” In this tradition, one developed this self-sufficiency by disengaging oneself from human needs and from other humans. Paul does not use this term in a philosophical sense, but in an economic sense. Having enough does not simply mean reducing one’s craving for material goods and becoming independent from everyone. It means reducing what one wants for oneself so that one has enough to share with others and create an interdependence with them. Having what is sufficient helps Christians “to relate more effectively to other people, not to withdraw from them.”
David E. Garland in 2 Corinthians: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 29) (The New American Commentary) 408.
My mind goes to this verse after today’s reading.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
When we live in light of the reality that God is able to care for our needs as we live, give, serve, and love generously, we find peace knowing that it is God and not money that meets the needs we see around us. And we discover self-sufficiency and contentment by our experience.
Jenni and I fly to Tokyo today en route to Manila, arriving tomorrow night. God supplied her ticket through a ministry she will serve by facilitating a retreat and doing other speaking and teaching.
He supplied for me to host the board, staff, and regional facilitators for the fifth annual GTP Global Gathering (our third in-person meeting), and the first time I will be in the same room with the ten total staff of GTP. I am also speaking at a conference then participating in a global forum. It will be a full trip. I will share more as it unfolds.
Pray for safe travel for us please. And give thanks to God today for His ability to resource all of us for caring and sharing. May we live interdependently and generously.