“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not” (2 Cor. 8:12).
When young children help with a willing heart, we recognize the eagerness behind their effort, and receive their gifts and labors in proportion to their intent. How delightful is the willing mind of faith! The willing mind is a believer laying hold on God’s strength in Christ, putting his hand to the plow, expecting a harvest in proportion to the ability of the Master who owns the field, and not in proportion to His own ability (Ex. 4:10; 2 Cor. 4:7). He alone gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7). The harvest belongs to Him (Matt. 9:36-38). Believers, in themselves, can do nothing of spiritual or eternal consequence (Php. 3:3). But God can and does use the weakest of believing sinners to show forth His glory and power (1 Cor. 1:21). If He is glorified in raising the dead, then He is glorified in helping the weak (2 Cor. 12:9-10; Eph. 1:19). Let us therefore give of ourselves with a willing heart, pray with a view to His promises, depending on His strength and power, His purposes and His eternal glory for the salvation and edification of His people (Ps. 28:9; John 17:9; 1 Pet. 5:1-10). Let us entrust the prayers of our heart and the work of our hands to Him, asking Him to wash us and our works in His own blood, receive us by His grace for Christ’s sake alone, in spite of our duplicity (Ps. 90:17; Rom. 7:14-25). Lord, give us a heart that sees and delights in and finds all-sufficient grace in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ alone (2 Cor. 11:3). And grant that we might with a true heart of faith, boldly proclaim the glories of our all-sufficient Savior (Heb. 10:19-23)!
When young children help with a willing heart, we recognize the eagerness behind their effort, and receive their gifts and labors in proportion to their intent. How delightful is the willing mind of faith! The willing mind is a believer laying hold on God’s strength in Christ, putting his hand to the plow, expecting a harvest in proportion to the ability of the Master who owns the field, and not in proportion to His own ability (Ex. 4:10; 2 Cor. 4:7). He alone gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7). The harvest belongs to Him (Matt. 9:36-38). Believers, in themselves, can do nothing of spiritual or eternal consequence (Php. 3:3). But God can and does use the weakest of believing sinners to show forth His glory and power (1 Cor. 1:21). If He is glorified in raising the dead, then He is glorified in helping the weak (2 Cor. 12:9-10; Eph. 1:19). Let us therefore give of ourselves with a willing heart, pray with a view to His promises, depending on His strength and power, His purposes and His eternal glory for the salvation and edification of His people (Ps. 28:9; John 17:9; 1 Pet. 5:1-10). Let us entrust the prayers of our heart and the work of our hands to Him, asking Him to wash us and our works in His own blood, receive us by His grace for Christ’s sake alone, in spite of our duplicity (Ps. 90:17; Rom. 7:14-25). Lord, give us a heart that sees and delights in and finds all-sufficient grace in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ alone (2 Cor. 11:3). And grant that we might with a true heart of faith, boldly proclaim the glories of our all-sufficient Savior (Heb. 10:19-23)!
Rick Warta
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