Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

13 November 2024

Reading From Luke 23 John 18-19

“Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. ³⁹ With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds^[r] of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. ⁴⁰ Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. ⁴¹ The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. ⁴² And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover^[s] and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”

 –John 19:38-42

     I do not agree that God blesses His children with material wealth to be hoarded and/or selfishly spent on one’s own pleasures alone.  At the other end of the spectrum, I do not believe that God thinks we need to live in poverty in order to be holy.  God is our Father and as such He wants good things for His sons and daughters; for them to be well-provided for and for them to share with others the temporal and spiritual blessings He entrusts to them. 

     One day a young boy packed his lunch and headed out to listen to a traveling minister who was not only teaching astonishing truths, but also healing the sick and casting out demons.  The traveling minister was Christ Jesus and the young boy had packed was just five small loaves of bread and two fishes.  And yet, Jehovah Jireh, our Marvelous Provider, multiplied that meager lunch to feed over 5,000 people! 

     God can use us no matter what our financial situation is and He will meet our every need.  Even if we are not well off materially, we are wealthy spiritually.  He can also use folks who have lots of money and possessions.  In this passage of the Gospel According to John, we find that the Lord used Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man, to provide our Savior and Lord with a place for His body to rest until the third day when He was raised to life.  He also used Nicodemus, another Pharisee whom Jesus had ministered to in a powerful way, to perfume and prepare His precious body with expensive ointment of myrrh and aloes.  You’ll remember that myrrh was one of the gifts that the wealthy magi brought to the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem.  God can use anyone for His glory.

“Lord, we know that it isn’t about how little we have or how much we have, it is how we use it that counts.  Show us how to wisely steward the money, time, energy and resources You have entrusted to us.  May we honor and glorify You and be generous in all things and in all ways.  In the strong and mighty Name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.”

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

 –Hebrews 13:16