Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

11 January 2024

Reading From Job 29-31

“If I have put my trust in gold
    or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’
if I have rejoiced over my great wealth,
    the fortune my hands had gained,
if I have regarded the sun in its radiance
    or the moon moving in splendor,
so that my heart was secretly enticed
    and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,
then these also would be sins to be judged,
    for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.”

–Job 31:24-28

     Job was an excellent example of a man who was blessed with immense wealth, but who generously shared what he had with those in need.[1]  We have no indication that he was pressured by religious leaders[2] or coerced by a government through taxation to do this[3], he gave freely to the poor of his own accord.[4]  It’s all about the heart.  God wants to bless us so that we will bless others.[5]  An observation I have is that Job was able to give because he had something to give.[6] Whether we realize it or not, each of us have something to give.  Wise stewardship of resources allows us to not only live a life that is financially sustainable, but also to share the abundance with those around us.[7]  Jesus instructed the rich young ruler to sell all he had because He knew that is what it would take for the man’s heart to change, but God did not inspire to instruct Paul to give the same advice to wealthy Christians in his letter to Timothy.  Rather, it was to not be prideful, put their hope in God rather than money, be rich in good deeds and share what they have with others.  I cannot give what I don’t have.[8] 

     I am meant to honor God with what I have and do.[9]  The earth and everything in it belong to Him already;[10] the money and possessions we hold in trust are tools to be used to provide for ourselves,[11] our families,[12] and to advance the love and message of Jesus in our local communities and around the world.[13]  Resources are tools, not objects of worship to be depended upon for security, used as weapons to hurt others, or hoarded selfishly.[14]  One of the greatest thieves of spiritual wealth is to worship the creation rather than the Creator.[15]  Having a job is necessary to survive and to thrive, but the job isn’t my provider.  My Provider is God; He is my source.  Enjoying nature is relaxing and rejuvenating, but how much more fulfilling to get to know the One who made it? Go to the source.

“Jesus, I pray that You will give me an eternal perspective.  Help me to order my priorities the way You want them.  It is too easy to get distracted by worldly ideas of prosperity.  You alone are my source of provision and blessing.  Bring focus to my mind and heart on what is truly important and when You bless me, may I in turn be a blessing to others.  Amen.”

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Ephesians 4:28

---

[1] Job 29:12-16

[2] II Corinthians 9:7

[3] Mark 12:17

[4] Hebrews 13:16

[5] Genesis 12:2

[6] Ephesians 4:28

[7] Matthew 25:14-30, II Corinthians 8:7, 14

[8] II Corinthians 8:12

[9] I Corinthians 10:31

[10] Psalm 24:1

[11] Proverbs 13:4, 14:23

[12] I Timothy 5:8

[13] Malachi 3:10

[14] Proverbs 11:24

[15] Romans 1:25