MUCH MORE

 

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us… Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)

Ever had to deal with finances in your work or ministry? Or even at home? When the coffers are full, this can be a joy, but it’s atypical to think that situation is constant. I remember when my dad was the church treasurer, the job was a cinch because he relegated much of the “number crunching” to my mom. Smart man. But I find that sometimes in my work just the process of recording entries and converting funds to any number of foreign currencies and then getting account numbers, SWIFT codes, addresses, and all that’s required for transfers can be an exhausting and long drawn out process.

And part of our ministry includes grants to field partners who are on the front lines doing the actual work. So the last several days in anticipation of putting together another spread sheet, I was mentally listing the requests, their categories, and comparing that to our resources. I spent so much time in my head that, by the time I was sitting at my computer entering the data, I was almost in a dither wondering if we could meet all the requests.

That’s where I made the mistake—wondering if “we” could meet all the requests. I have often quoted Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to India, who said, “God’s work, done in God’s Way will never lack God’s Supply.” Talking is one thing; doing is another. Had we been working in God’s Way? Were we honoring him in our ministry or were we just doing great social projects? I knew we had done our best, but I wasn’t sure the needed funds would be enough. Enough for God’s work…

The Bible tells the story of an impoverished widow with two sons who were about to be sold into slavery to cover their father’s debts (II Kings 4:1-8). The woman, knowing where to get help, went to Elisha and told him of her plight. “What do you have?” asked the prophet. “Nothing but a small pot of oil,” responded the widow. And then Elisha told the woman to borrow as many jars as she could and fill them with oil that she could sell to pay the debt. As the woman obeyed, her needs were met. Miraculously. And more than she probably expected. God used what she had and multiplied it.

Our wonderful financial officer stopped what she was doing and pulled reports for us so we could accurately determine what could be funded. I love working with Excel—it does all the calculations for me. As I began filling out categories and populating the columns with figures representing requests and available resources, much to my delight, there was enough to meet all the current requests with some left over. “God’s work, done in God’s Way will never lack God’s Supply.” I’d been procrastinating about this report, and all the time God had just what we needed and MORE. So much MORE. And none of our partners will be disappointed.

Father, thank you for always being and doing more than we can ever think or imagine. You love us and care for our smallest need. Love and flow through us as we depend on you. In Jesus, our Lord. AMEN.