Taking It to Work:
If you knew me, you would know I hate waste. I have a very hard time throwing anything away that has value. My garage has too many pieces of scrap wood, and other bits and pieces of things “I might need”.
Some of those things I would give away happily, just so I didn’t have to throw them away. And I still finish all the food on my plate, because I can’t stand to see it go in the garbage.
So, right or wrong, it bothers me when I see the monkeys on national geographic. There up in a tree, they pick a perfect piece of fruit, ripe, delicious, take one bite of it, and then drop it on the ground and scurry off.
It bothers me, but you know, it doesn’t bother the monkey. You know why?
It’s because there’s plenty more, and that monkey knows it. Instinctively he knows he doesn’t have to worry. As far as he’s concerned, there is a limitless supply.
So, what does that have to do with our scriptures today? Well, it’s not a limitless supply, but it’s easy to overlook the fact that we do have enough, actually, in many ways, much more than enough.
Yet, even though we claim faith in God as our great provider, which He is, we fear giving our extra. Now that extra may be a few dollars at the end of the week, or a few million at the end of a career, but the fact is we tend still to be fearful in giving away too much.
The Holy Spirit reminds us today, this is not a giving problem, it is a faith problem.
Unlike the monkey, we fear inside that if we give too much away, if something happens, we won’t have enough for ourselves and our loved ones. It is, and always will be a tough balance. Generosity is very hard if you fear running out.
If that is you, read today’s scriptures prayerfully, and ask God for a greater measure of faith.
We work and get paid because he has blessed us with work. We can work, because he has blessed us with strength, education and talent to do so.
It’s all from Him in the end, and until the end, He promises His provision, especially to the generous.
So, fear less, and share more, as His Word works in you, today.
Ps 147:9 (ESV) – He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.
2Cor 9:8 (NLT) – And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
Acts 20:35 (ESV) – In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Jer 17:8 (ESV) – He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Luke 6:38 (ESV) – Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
Listening to the Holy Spirit:
A tree planted by a stream gives much fruit. Even in drought, it fears not, and bears much. The fruit is abundant because its needs are forever met. It bears so much that it casts some of its harvest without thought, for there is plenty. With you also, I give all, that your fruit would not only feed your own, but also others. The work of your hand gives back to you, only as I have given first. You have been blessed in your work, that others too would be nourished by your fruit. What do you fear in generosity – that the stream would dry and the sun hold back its light? Trust in Me that My provision is plenty, abundant for you and those also you are here to bless. Reach out to those that have less, not of their own sin, but as opportunity for you to reach with My hands, with provision in excess of what you need. My hand gives to you as you work with strength and talent, also a gift. Give, and it will be given back, pressed down and overflowing. My stream will not run dry, and the greatness of your giving will reflect the glory to others of My provision, both for you and them. Fear not the giving.
