EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2020.
SUBJECT : ALL WE HAVE COMES FROM GOD!
Memory verse: "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven." (John 3 vs 27.)
READ Deuteronomy 8 vs 11 - 18:
8:11: Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgements, and His statutes which I command you today,
8:12: lest - when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them,
8:13: and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold are multiplied, and all that you have multiplied;
8:14: when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
8:15: who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock;
8:16: who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end -
8:17: then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.'
8:18: And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."
INTIMATION:
All gifts and abilities come from God. He gives us the power to get everything we have, and also, expects us to manage it for Him. It's important for us to recognize that He is our source, regardless of how much effort we put into earning a living. In times of plenty, we often take credit for our prosperity and become proud that our own hard work, and cleverness have made us rich. And when you get so busy collecting and managing our gifts, the tendency is that we push God right out of our lives. Don't forget God in your abundance, or He will remove His blessing from you.
The interesting thing about this Scripture in Deuteronomy 8 vs 18, is that God was talking to the children of Israel who would eventually enter into the Promised Land. They were going to be living in homes built for giants. The fields already had the rocks cleared out for them, the furrows were dug, and the crops were planted. The Israelites were going to step in and benefit from the labor of others. God was telling them not to forget the source of their wealth when they go from living in the desert to living in mansions with abundant property. In context, God was saying, "Don't think you got wealthy by your own might or power. I'm the One who made you rich, and I did it to establish My covenant upon the earth." The covenant He made with Abraham (Genesis 12 vs 1 - 3).
The same is true for us today. God is the One who makes us gives us all the things we have. In an environment and economy of material prosperity, however, there is always the temptation to forget God. We usually take for granted all that we receive from God, and thus pride ourselves in our own accomplishments. For instance, in our diligence to work the land, we would forget it was God who made all things grow for our prosperity.
The people of our generation live at a level of relative prosperity that most people throughout history couldn't have dreamed of, yet we didn't do anything to be born at this time. We didn't cause ourselves to be born into such opportunity and freedom. It is quite obvious that the ability to prosper is a gift from God, and we can't boast of the opportunities we have been given.
The remedy for materialism is to remember Him from whom all blessings flow. The materialist creates a god who originates from within himself, and thus, he humanistically worships his own ability to perform and produce. The humanist focuses on the ability of man to perform, but the saint focuses on God who brings power to one’s efforts to work to the glory of God. When we are blessed, therefore, all glory must be given to to God who gave us the gifts to produce, but also gave increase to the work of our hands. Our recognition of the fruits of our hands, therefore, is an opportunity to be grateful to God for working in our lives.
The apostle Paul emphasizes that fact in First Corinthians 4 vs 7, "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" Whatever you are; your talent, wisdom, skills etc, whatever assets you have; money, properties, etc, and whatever position you occupy in life, are all the act and doing of the LORD. Acknowledge Him, give Him thanks, and use your gifts properly—for service to Him. You are blessed to be a blessing (Genesis 12 vs 2).
Prayer: Abba Father, I am nothing without You. All powers belong to You, and by my strength I can do nothing. Only You strengthens me to do all I do, and all I have You have given me. You have daily loaded me with Your benefits, and I am forever grateful and thankful. Give me the grace to properly administer Your gifts given to me, that I may be a blessing to others, and a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly applying myself for the interest of the kingdom, in Jesus Name, Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!
