Good morning, brothers and sisters;
I'm a believer that when we are entrusted with God's provisions (home, food, monies, medical, dental, spiritual and physical well being, etc...) for all our needs, we must do our part in being good stewards. He also empowers us the discipline of wisdom, discernment and managing of our personal income, expenses, thus our budget and sacrifice to Him.
I know God is faithful. He may not replace (put back) what we deplete but will always keep us grounded in our overall relationship with Him. I've been there too many times when out of nowhere (not expecting) we were suddenly blessed abundantly.
Please read and meditate slowly how these passages relate to your personal life and needs to Christ;
In Malachi 3;10-12, 10 Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. - RSV
Matthew 6:25-33, 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - ESV
I don't have to keep personal score of what I give or manage because those things are secondary, all given by God. My focus is worship and glory to Him, first, accompanied by the services He appoints me to others.
We just returned home from one of the best vacations in Korea and Japan. We enjoyed the sites and I got perspective of the culture and customs. The Lord also opened the door for us sharing the Gospel and being a salt and light to others.
A week after being home I got hit with a couple of personal expenses (Boom!) that cost me yesterday and today. I didn't receive both well as much as it burned inside my heart. I asked God to guard my tongue and heart in dealing with the business of both. He is faithful and kept me in check without souring my disposition.
When I got home this morning my wife and I talked about it. I opened up to her and admitted the expenses were beyond our control, they were needed and it is what it is. But I had to prayerfully vent to the Lord.
Suddenly we both went into prayer and was thankful God provided this vacation in our retirement and to share the Good News to other. For many years we had to stay within our means when we were both working full time and while serving full time in the Church. Either we could not afford it or take the desired time off. We got perspective and was thankful that our personal "nest egg" will cover both expenses that we needed to get taken care of.
I would like to replenish what I took out and many times God has provided in His time.
My point is these things that affected me are secondary. Will it discourage me from serving God where He has me today? He remains first in our relationship with Christ. At the same time God sees our hearts and it should always be to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness including our disposition with others. The other things will be added according to God's will.
Keeping in mind this application doesn't mean each of us will be perfect. That's where God's strength comes in to guide us through all circumstances.
I have to confess it has taken me years to learn and develop this, but it's all worth it. Thank God each day for His Word, covering and guidance.
God bless you all.
Bob
I'm a believer that when we are entrusted with God's provisions (home, food, monies, medical, dental, spiritual and physical well being, etc...) for all our needs, we must do our part in being good stewards. He also empowers us the discipline of wisdom, discernment and managing of our personal income, expenses, thus our budget and sacrifice to Him.
I know God is faithful. He may not replace (put back) what we deplete but will always keep us grounded in our overall relationship with Him. I've been there too many times when out of nowhere (not expecting) we were suddenly blessed abundantly.
Please read and meditate slowly how these passages relate to your personal life and needs to Christ;
In Malachi 3;10-12, 10 Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. - RSV
Matthew 6:25-33, 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - ESV
I don't have to keep personal score of what I give or manage because those things are secondary, all given by God. My focus is worship and glory to Him, first, accompanied by the services He appoints me to others.
We just returned home from one of the best vacations in Korea and Japan. We enjoyed the sites and I got perspective of the culture and customs. The Lord also opened the door for us sharing the Gospel and being a salt and light to others.
A week after being home I got hit with a couple of personal expenses (Boom!) that cost me yesterday and today. I didn't receive both well as much as it burned inside my heart. I asked God to guard my tongue and heart in dealing with the business of both. He is faithful and kept me in check without souring my disposition.
When I got home this morning my wife and I talked about it. I opened up to her and admitted the expenses were beyond our control, they were needed and it is what it is. But I had to prayerfully vent to the Lord.
Suddenly we both went into prayer and was thankful God provided this vacation in our retirement and to share the Good News to other. For many years we had to stay within our means when we were both working full time and while serving full time in the Church. Either we could not afford it or take the desired time off. We got perspective and was thankful that our personal "nest egg" will cover both expenses that we needed to get taken care of.
I would like to replenish what I took out and many times God has provided in His time.
My point is these things that affected me are secondary. Will it discourage me from serving God where He has me today? He remains first in our relationship with Christ. At the same time God sees our hearts and it should always be to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness including our disposition with others. The other things will be added according to God's will.
Keeping in mind this application doesn't mean each of us will be perfect. That's where God's strength comes in to guide us through all circumstances.
I have to confess it has taken me years to learn and develop this, but it's all worth it. Thank God each day for His Word, covering and guidance.
God bless you all.
Bob
