How can we abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8)?

In 2 Corinthians 9:8, the apostle Paul writes, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (ESV). God’s grace equips believers for fruitful ministry. Not only does His grace guarantee that we have all we need to serve God all the time, but we can even “abound in every good work.”

Second Corinthians 9 focuses on generosity. God supplies everything we need, and we should share our blessings with others. Blessing others could take the form of material gifts, but we could also share the blessings of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Generosity becomes natural when God’s grace abounds in our lives.

Abounding in every good work begins with acknowledging God’s grace at the foundation of our lives. God enables us to perform good works; He ensures we have everything we need. As Paul explains elsewhere, “The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth” (Ephesians 5:9)—three things we should be sharing with others. Grace transforms and sustains us: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:10, ESV). God’s grace overflows into our lives and enables us to serve others selflessly.

Abounding in every good work is not due to our spiritual exertion, natural talents, or personal merit; it is rooted in God’s provision “in all things at all times” (2 Corinthians 9:8). We can lean on Him to “supply every need . . . according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:9, ESV).

Abounding in every good work assumes obedience to God’s commands. Those who walk in the light will fulfill God’s plan for their lives. “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, ESV). Good works are opportunities to display God’s glory (Matthew 5:16).

We “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25, ESV) by reading Scripture, praying, meditating on the Word, resisting sin, serving others, and giving thanks to God. Even when the task is inconvenient or pushes us beyond our comfort zones, God equips us to abound in every good work.

God strengthens us “with power through his Spirit in [our] inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). We must depend on the Holy Spirit if we hope to abound in every good work. Jesus promised that power would accompany the arrival of the Spirit: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8, ESV). Abounding in every good work will be accompanied by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).

And abounding in every good work means living with an eternal perspective. In 2 Corinthians 9:11, Paul writes, “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (ESV). Good works performed in God’s power for God’s glory have eternal significance.

Lovingly and faithfully serving others permits us to participate in something greater than ourselves. Abounding in every good work requires commitment, faith, and spiritual resilience. Weariness may set in, but we know that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).