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Those Who Use The Things Of The World
Should Not Become Attached To Them.
For This World As We Know It Will Soon Pass Away.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 7
31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
Observation
Once a toddler begins to talk it doesn't take long before you hear them say, “Mine”. Whatever they have in their hands suddenly becomes “theirs” and they take off running if you try to get it back!
Maybe that is why when the pastor speaks on the topic of giving some people get so upset! Our pastors are preaching a series on giving right now and I have already heard some grown up toddlers crying out “Mine”.
The principle of giving or stewardship is not something that stopped at the end of the Old Testament.
Think about that toddler for a moment … whatever that little squirt had in his or her hand when he or she yelled, “Mine” more than likely came from Mom and Dad or some other adult.
You and I are just like that little toddler … we only have what we have because of our Heavenly Father. It came from Him. If we hold on tightly to what we have and scream, “Mine”. Do you think that our Heavenly Father is going to be pleased with us and give us more? That is not how it works, at least that is not how it works with God.
Here are some New Testament Bible Passages on giving:
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
“They
share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their
good deeds will be remembered forever.”
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
Luke 6:38
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Application
I do not want to be like a little toddler screaming, “Mine”.
How about you? What is your reaction to a message about “giving”?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be generous with what you have provided. Help me to be a good steward. Don't let me be stingy. I know that You can shower me with blessings and I know that if I am stingy You can take everything away. You are a good good Father. You know exactly what I need. I know that You will provide more than I need so that I can have enough to help others who are in need. I can never out give You! Not one thing that I possess impresses You in the least. It is all Yours. None of it really belongs to me.
Daily Bible Reading: Job 35,36; 1 Corinthians 7,8
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