Are there commitments we have made to God and others that we have yet to fulfil? 

Perhaps we have resolved to attend more church services or to serve in additional areas of church work, but over time, our resolve has weakened due to our busyness, exhaustion, or anxiety. 

Or maybe we have promised to show more care and concern to certain individuals – to reach out to them, spend more time with them, and perhaps even help them in practical ways – yet as time passes, amidst our own busyness and struggles, we find it challenging to keep these promises. 

When it comes to doing good things, it is common for us as humans to, in the words of a Chinese idiom, feel a “三分钟热度 (three-minute heat ❤️‍🔥)” – our zeal to do good burns brightly at the start, only to diminish quickly over time. 

Such was the experience of the Corinthian believers, when it came to doing something charitable for another needier church: they had a good intention and had already started the work, but after a year they still have not finished the work. Hence, Paul had to remind them to follow through with their plans (2 Corinthians 8:10-11). 

Just as our God is One who always fulfils His word (2 Corinthians 1:19-20), so we as His believers should also be faithful in fulfilling our commitments to God and others.    

Consider how God fulfilled His promise of salvation, even when it meant becoming physically poor for our sakes so that we can be spiritually rich (2 Corinthians 8:9); God fulfilled His word, even when it meant sacrificing His heavenly glory as God, and later His human life on the cross. Therefore, as His children, let us emulate His faithfulness.   

Sometimes, despite our best intentions, our circumstances in life may change such that it becomes harder for us to fulfil our earlier commitments to God and others. 

On one hand, God knows the level of our ability, as well as our sincerity. So, 2 Corinthians 8:12 tells us that when it comes to doing good, what God wants is not perfect execution, but a perfect heart – one that is simply willing to fulfil God’s will and the needs of others, to the best of one’s ability.       

At the same time, let us learn from the extraordinary example of the Macedonian church (2 Corinthians 8:2) – even in severe affliction and extreme poverty, they still joyfully fulfilled their commitment of generous giving! Likewise, when we are going through difficult times, can we still persevere in fulfilling our commitments to God and others?    

When we give our time and effort to God and His sheep, God will not shortchange us (2 Corinthians 8:15). 

In fact, not only will God take care of our own needs, in Luke 6:38, Jesus even tells us that He will give us more – abundance that is above and beyond our expectations!  

Furthermore, when it is our turn to face difficult times, God will use the people we have previously helped, to support us through our hardships (2 Corinthians 8:14). 

Therefore, may we strive to be committed servants in His household, fulfilling our commitments to God and others to the best of our abilities.