Reading for Today:
Proverb Chapter 3
Gold Nugget
Verse 9-10: “Honor
the Lord with your possessions and with the first fruits of all your increase; So
your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new
wine.”
Commentary
I'm sure glad this verse is in the bible. It proves that
if I give lots of money to God, I will be overflowing with cash, possessions
and an all you can drink bar… that is if I interpret it the way many charlatans
proclaim it. Taking this verse out of context robs us of the beautiful promise
that lies within. Believing that giving to God will increase your bank account
is not the objective at all, even if it’s true. Follow me on this, if you will.
Why would God give you a return of 10, 20 or a hundred fold for giving to Him
such a small portion? Is it to convince you of how important it is? Is it to
convince you to continue to give? Hardly. In Matthew 25:23 we read, “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and
faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you
ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” In this passage a
servant was given a small amount, but “honored” his master by using it as gain
for the master. That being said, it is in the master’s best interest to give
his faithful servant even more for a greater return. A return to who? The
master! When we honor God with our few possessions (that came from Him anyway),
it stands to reason that we would honor Him with our many possessions. Why wouldn’t
He therefore provide you with more provisions to which He will be honored again
and again and a blessing to His work. My
concern is for those who “honor” God with intent or even expectation of a great
return unto themselves. This
misunderstanding and selfish agenda is as foolish as the man who believes that
God gives us the desires of our heart without giving us a new heart. This new
heart is filled with desires for Him and does not seek its own. Let’s honor the
Lord with the expectation of being able to honor Him more with any blessings He
so lovingly puts in our hand. “And God is
able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all
sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” - 2
Corinthians 9:8
Prayer
Lord, as you give
me provisions, help me to see the opportunities to provide for your work. If I
am faithful with what you have put in my hand, fill them both so I can honor
you with two. Amen
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