Welcome!
Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Today: Hope and enjoyment in God!
Passage: 1 Tim 6: 17-19 NIV
17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
People like to possess things; most of us like to own cars, homes, real estates etc, if possible
We know people who keep on buying and adding to what they have, and are never satisfied; they cannot sleep peacefully
There are many people who forget to enjoy their God-given life because they are very busy making money
Some of the millionaires live a very pitiful life, but are happy that they are “rich”
Paul mentions that it is God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment
We cannot enjoy what God has given us, unless we are content with what we have
These are the words of a song that most of us know:
“All I have needed thy hand has provided……….. Great is thy faithfulness…..”
Many a time, as we sing those lines, we might have wondered: “do I have all that I needed?”
We do. God has met our needs in one way or other. It is also a song of faith and hope. God will never abandon us. Before it is too late, He will meet with us
Abraham received God’s promise about a son. But as he was waiting, it was probably difficult for him to sing, “all I have needed thy hand has provided…”
That is where faith and hope comes together for our help
When we put our complete trust in God, and say “thank you” for things we are yet to receive, God cannot simply by-pass us
But the greatest asset in our life is God himself
As children, we studied the parable of this rich man who built big barns and filled them with grains and said to himself: “eat, drink and make merry”
But that very night, his life was taken away!
We were all making fun of that foolish rich guy
But years later, we put ourselves in his shoes; we are doing the same thing he did!
If we examine our lives carefully, things of God and getting rich in the spirit are all the way in the bottom, in the list of our priorities
God’s will is that we should become rich spiritually, more than anything else (Eph 1:3)
His rule is that we share with others what He has given us, so that He can give us more
Our time, our energy, health, skills, talents are all to be used for His glory
Wealth and health are the top priorities of most people; but don’t forget that God is and should be the ultimate source of our blessings and we trust Him for all our needs. All we have is God’s gift
7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (1 Tim 6:7, NIV)
God bless you
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, many a time, I thought of getting smarter and even ran away from you in pursuit of wealth, health and happiness. I now surrender before you, because true wealth, health and happiness comes from you. Thank you Jesus. Amen