Two things are crystal clear from this verse. Firstly, we have a scriptural summary of the reason for abundance. In the last couple of meditations, we have listed a number of reasons that makes abundance necessary. They all can be summed up here: abundance is to capacitate us “for every good work”. No gift of God is designed for showmanship. God gifts men to enable them serve. Those who crave wealth for the fun of it or to live indulgently will run at cross-purpose to God.

God’s grace will lead us to a productive venture; and at the same time ensure that our labour is not in vain

Secondly, we are instructed on the means to abundance. All of God’s gifts come through the release of grace appropriated by faith; and this does not exclude abundance. Grace at work does not exclude us from productive enterprise. When Paul described the secret of his successful life, he mentioned the intertwining forces of grace and labour. God’s grace will lead us to a productive venture; and at the same time ensure that our labour is not in vain.