“For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality— at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality.”

There was a time in my big house that I had a lady and her four children living with me.  She and hers were pretty much destitute (had been living in her car off and on) and dysfunctional. The interest on her charge cards was more than her paycheck. I felt as if money were pouring out of my checkbook just as fast as it was coming in while trying to support myself and her. Lord, what am I supposed to do: The “rules” say, “tithe 10%, save 10% and live on the rest.” 

These verses, “not for my affliction,” “not for her ease,” “but by way of equality”, made all the difference in the world to me, being said to me personally by the Lord for this situation. I shared with her and she was relieved too.

Lord, I pray that we will always remember that You do supply–that You are our Provider.