“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
which God supplies
“Supplies” is a more adequate term than the idea “gives.” We get our English word “chorus” from the Greek word. “Supplies” was used as a term for someone who pays the expenses of putting a play on stage. In ancient Greek, a philanthropist would pay the expenses for the chorus. “Supplies” came to mean to defray the cost of bringing out a chorus at the public feasts. Usually, a wealthy individual defrayed the expenses of a chorus. This rich benefactor paid the costs for the chorus for the performance of a drama. The drama was a costly operation. In Athens, wealthy citizens bore the burden for the costs of the Greek dramas.
The idea of this word came to mean to furnish abundantly. At times the Greeks used this word for the supplies of war. The point here is that God liberally provides for our ministry (2 Co 9:10; Jas 1:5). Here God is the philanthropist. God will foot the bill and defray any expense when it comes to ministry. God is a God of grace when we exercise our gifts.
God will give extensively from his grace apart from any human merit. God is a liberal Giver (2 Co 9:10; Jas 1:5). God will make available whatever is necessary to help or supply the needs of someone in ministry. He will provide for, support, and supply our needs for ministry.
PRINCIPLE:
God supplies any provision we need to minister for him.
APPLICATION:
We do not invent our gifts. God both gives the gift and produces the ability to use the gift. God is both the source of our gift and the means of sustaining it.
We often act as if it is our great gift that produces the results. We forget that God both gave us the gift and gives us the ability to use the gift (1 Co 4:7). There is no room for pride because from beginning to end, it is God that supplies.
