The infinite riches of Christ
I was made a servant of the gospel by God’s special gift, which he gave me through the working of his power. I am less than the least of all God’s people; yet God gave me this privilege of taking to the Gentiles the Good News about the infinite riches of Christ, and of making all people see how God’s secret plan is to be put into effect. (verses 7-9a)
Read Ephesians 3:1-13
Sometimes we’re tempted to think that God is a great big miser, that he is reluctant to give anyone anything good. Sometimes we’re tempted to act as if God has only a limited supply of goodness, and that we’d have to be one of the lucky ones to receive anything helpful from him. And sometimes we’re tempted to act as if God’s gifts aren’t worth receiving anyhow – we act as if what God has to give is useless for life in this world.
What St Paul tells us in Ephesians should inspire our imaginations. He talks of ‘the infinite riches of Christ’. The infinite riches of Christ! St Paul wants us to be in no doubt: what God has to give us is bigger and better than we can possibly imagine. Think about the specific things that God has blessed you with. They are the tip of the iceberg. The greatest riches of this world are nothing compared with what God has given you in Christ: God’s peace, mercy, life and love.
Gracious Father, always give me your Holy Spirit, so that I can think about the infinite riches you give me in Christ. Amen.
By Fraser Pearce, in “God’s Promises for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers (1999)
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