Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. 2 Corinthians 8:24
“My spirit longed to be instrumental in strengthening their faith, by giving them not only instances from the word of God, of His willingness and ability to help all those who rely upon Him, but to show them by proofs, that He is the same in our day.
I well knew that the Word of God ought to be enough, and it was, by grace, enough to me ; but still, I considered that I ought to lend a helping hand to my brethren, if by any means, by this visible proof to the unchangeable faithfulness of the Lord, I might strengthen their hands in God; for I remembered what a great blessing my own soul had received through the Lord’s dealings with his servant A. H. Franke, who, in dependance upon the living God alone, established an immense Orphan-House, which I had seen many times with my own eyes.
I, therefore, judged myself bound to be the servant of the Church of Christ, in the particular point on which I had obtained mercy: namely, in being able to take God by His Word and to rely upon it.”
George Müller in A Narrative of Some of the Lord’s Dealings with George Müller (London: J. Nisbet & Sons, 1860) 145.
Why would the Apostle Paul want the Corinthians to demonstrate proof of their love and trust in God? When we see “visible proof” in others, it inspires us to “take God by His Word and to rely upon it.”
Most people demonstrate by their actions that their trust is in money rather than God.
It’s interesting to learn in church history the names of largely unknown people in inspired famous saints. Now we know why Müller was willing to depend on God; he saw A. H. Franke do it.
Who is watching you? Will your “visible proof” inspire them to depend on God?
Müller touched over 10,000 orphans in his life. Some would say that’s unfathomable or impossible generosity. He would say it was only possible because he relied on God and served as a conduit of blessing.
Will we?