The Grace to Prosper
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 05/11/2025
Foundation Scriptures:
Romans 12:5-8
1. Empowered by Grace.
a. Ephesians 4:7 AMPC –– Yet grace (God’s unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ’s [rich and bounteous] gift.
b. God’s grace is the empowerment to fulfill His will, plan, and calling for your life.
c. There are things we are ALL called to do and then there are specific and unique things that WE are called to.
d. The measure of the grace on your life is in proportion to your calling and giftings.
e. Grace (Greek charis) is God’s free and liberal gift of good will, loving-kindness, blessings, and favor toward us.
f. Grace is His divine influence upon a person’s heart and reflected in and through their life.
2. The Measure of Grace.
a. Romans 12:5-8 KJV –– So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
b. Not everyone carries the five-fold ministry call, but all are called to fulfill the work of ministry in varying capacities.
c. To win souls and advance the Kingdom in every way possible, including with our financial resources.
d. Romans 12:8b AMPC –– …he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.
e. Let the one who gives (contributes or imparts to others), do it with simplicity.
f. Meaning: singleness of purpose, sincerity, and mental honesty.
g. Do not give with pride or an outward show.
h. This simplicity is an openness of heart—manifesting itself by liberality, conferring benefits, and doing good deeds.
i. Let the one who rules (gives aid and superintends) do it with diligence (haste, speed, earnestness).
j. Let the one who shows mercy (helping those in need), do it with compassion—with readiness of mind, joyful eagerness, and genuine cheerfulness.
3. Motivated By Grace.
a. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
b. The grace of God was on the Church at Macedonia, stirring them up and giving them the desire to give and be a blessing to those in need (vs.1).
c. 2 Corinthians 8:2 AMPC –– For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty [together] have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.
d. The grace of God empowered them to give in a supernatural way.
e. They voluntarily gave “according to their ability, and beyond their ability!” (vs.3)
f. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to abound in this same grace to give (vs.7).
g. To excel in their giving, even as they abound in faith, speech, knowledge, diligence, and love.
4. Grace By Example.
a. The grace of giving was not by commandment (2 Cor. 8:8), but by the example of other churches (2 Cor. 8:2-5).
b. And particularly by the supreme example of the Lord Jesus Christ.
c. 2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV –– For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
d. By the grace of God toward us, Jesus exchanged our poverty for the riches of His abundant and unlimited supply.
5. Grace in Action.
a. 2 Corinthians 9:6 AMPC –– [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.
b. The blessings of God are measured back to you according to the attitude and measure of your sowing.
c. God’s grace empowers you to give generously, with an eager, willing heart.
d. 2 Corinthians 9:7 AMPC –– Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].
e. Give willingly and cheerfully.
f. Make up your own mind and purpose in your own heart.
g. Do not give grudgingly, reluctantly, or sorrowfully—or under compulsion.
h. The grace of God is on you, and flowing through you, when you are a cheerful, hilarious, prompt, and willing giver.
6. Grace to Overflow.
a. 2 Corinthians 9:8 AMPC –– And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
b. God can and will make all grace come to you in abundance.
c. He graces you with favor.
d. He graces you with earthly (material) blessings.
e. By God’s grace, we will never have to depend on others for our sustenance.
f. Our power and ability and sufficiency are from God (2 Cor. 3:5b; Philippians 4:13).
g. He gives us the power to get wealth (Deut. 8:18).
h. Through His provision, we can enjoy an abundant supply, having enough to meet every personal need.
i. And an overflow, enabling us to supply the needs of others.
j. By the grace of God, we have everything we need.
k. And by the grace of God, we can acquire anything we need.
l. We are so privileged to have been blessed with the generous grace of God, which enables and empowers us to be freely gracious toward others.