At staff fellowship last week, one of our staff men shared a message from 2 Corinthians chapter 9 challenging us on giving and generosity. Verses 11 and 12 say,
“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”
Listening to the message, I was struck by the awareness that we are now the constant recipients of the generosity and giving of others. Our family relies daily on this generosity for our material needs. And furthermore, we are unable to repay this giving and generosity. Through it we are able to work in the ministry at Camp Barakel, but there is no way to repay our supporters. And yet, despite this, you have invested in our family. Perhaps you view it as investing in camp as well, and the ministry work of camp. And it is that. But it is an investment into our family on a daily basis, and we are so thankful for that. Which brings us back to verses 11-12. Your generosity, “through us, will produce thanksgiving to God.” Your giving is not only supplying our needs, but is “overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” We are thankful to be partnering with you in this scriptural example of bringing glory to God! And verse 15 goes on to say, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”