2020-05-20
Philippians 4:19 ESV
When we have a spiritual, physical, relational, or financial need, God says He’ll meet it. But some of us struggle to believe it. We worry because we doubt whether God will really provide for us. But Jesus said: ‘Don’t worry about these things, saying, “What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?” These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need’ (Matthew 6:31-33 NLT). God is our Provider. He cares for us, and looks after us. The psalmist wrote: ‘The LORD is my shepherd, I have all that I need’ (Psalm 23:1 NLT). Shepherds care for their sheep. The sheep are dependent on the shepherd. The shepherd takes them to food and protects them from attack. We can rely on God as our Shepherd too. We might be tempted to think that God’s provision is only for our spiritual and emotional needs, but He also cares about our material and financial needs. We might not get everything we want, but God will ensure we have everything we need. Paul wrote: ‘My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.’ God is often called Jehovah Jireh; this means God who provides. Abraham first declared that God was his provider when an animal was provided to be the sacrifice (you can read the full story in Genesis 22). Sometimes we can be afraid because we don’t seem to have enough to get by, but when we take our problems to God, rather than trying to figure out everything ourselves, we can have peace and rest in the knowledge that God will provide.
Heb 1-4; Mark 10:13-22; Ps 88:9b-18; Prov 11:27-29
2020-05-19
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Let’s begin by saying it again: What you believe about God and your money will determine what you believe Him for. If the reason you want more is to “keep up with the Joneses,” or brag about what you own, don’t expect God to bless your plans. The Bible says, “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble” (James 4:6 NIV). Humility says, “Lord, everything I have is a gift from You. And everything I’ll ever need comes from You.” Before you ask God for more money, you must know that your heart motive is right. And when you know it is, you can stand on this Scripture: “Whoever sows sparingly will…reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will…reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.’ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Corinthians 9:9-11 NIV). Who does God give seed to? Sowers – not hoarders. When does God multiply your seed? When you sow it to fulfill His purposes.
Soul food: Titus 1-3; Mark 10:1-12; Ps 88:1-9a; Prov 11:24-26
2 Korintiërs 9:8 NLV
Kom ons begin deur dit weer te sê: Wat jy oor God en jou geld glo, sal bepaal waarvoor jy Hom vertrou. As jy meer geld wil hê om by die bure by te hou of om te spog oor dit wat jy besit, moet jy nie verwag dat God jou planne sal seën nie. Die Bybel sê: ‘…God is téén mense wat te veel van hulleself dink, maar aan dié wat besef hoe afhanklik hulle van Hom is, gee Hy sy onverdiende goedheid’ (Jakobus 4:6 NLV). Afhanklikheid sê: ‘Here, alles wat ek het is ‘n gawe van U af. Alles wat ek ooit sal nodig kry, kom van U af.’ Voor jy God vir meer geld vra, moet jy weet dat jou hartsmotiewe reg is. As jy weet dat jou motiewe reg is, kan jy op hierdie Skrifgedeelte staan: ‘Soos daar geskryf staan: ‘Hy het uitgedeel en gegee aan die armes; sy goedhartigheid bly vir altyd staan.’ God wat saad voorsien aan die saaier en dan brood om te eet, sal ook aan julle saad gee en dit laat toeneem en die vrugte van julle goedhartigheid lieflik laat groei. In elke opsig sal julle ryk gemaak word om ook by elke geleentheid vrygewig te kan wees. Deur ons toedoen bring julle vrygewigheid mee dat God gedank word’ (2 Korintiërs 9:9-11 NLV). Aan wie gee God die saad? Aan saaiers, nie opgaarders nie. Wanneer vermeerder God jou saad? Wanneer jy dit saai om sy doelwitte te vervul.
Sielskos: Titus 1-3; Mark 10:1-12; Ps 88:1-9a; Spr 11:24-26
2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV
How many times do you find yourself asking for more than you already have? We might want more friends, higher pay at work, more blessings from God. In the world of technology, we want the new thing that’s been released, even if what we already have still works. God wants us to go to Him with our requests, but we need to examine the attitude of our hearts. We need to think about our motive for asking for more. Are we asking out of greed or out of generosity? Do we just want to keep up with everyone else? The Bible says: ‘You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God’ (2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV). God’s blessings are to encourage us to be generous. God loves blessing us just because He loves us. But we’re called to be generous with others. We should share our resources and help those who have less than us. The Bible also encourages us to be content with what we have already. Paul wrote: ‘I have learned how to be content with whatever I have’ (Philippians 4:11 NLT). Are we content when we don’t have everything we think we need? Or do we panic and pray desperately for more? Paul also said: ‘If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction’ (1 Timothy 6:8-9 NIV). We need to make sure that we’re not allowing greed and selfishness to take the place of generosity and kindness in our lives.
Titus 1-3; Mark 10:1-12; Ps 88:1-9a; Prov 11:24-26
2020-05-18
Psalm 84:11 KJV
What you believe about God and your money will determine how you pray and what you believe Him for. You say, “But money is the root of all evil.” No, the Bible says, “The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10 KJV). That means if you’re a miser, God won’t give you more. “But haven’t some preachers used the Bible to enrich themselves?” you ask. Absolutely – and you wouldn’t want to stand in their shoes when they answer to God! But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. The best way to tell if a dollar bill is counterfeit is to place it beside a genuine one. So here’s the question: Are you looking for a reason to doubt God’s promises, or a reason to believe them? The Bible says, “No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11 NIV). We all agree that providing for your family, getting a promotion, educating your children, and meeting other people’s needs are all “good” things. So when you “do what is right” before God, you can expect Him to bless you. John wrote, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2 NKJV). Only when our children reach maturity and demonstrate responsibility do we entrust them with the keys to the family car, right? So maturity must precede prosperity. When you demonstrate maturity, you can go to God with confidence, knowing He’ll meet your needs and bless you. Which raises the question: Are you growing and maturing spiritually?
Soul food: Jonah 1-4; Mark 9:38-50; Ps 75; Prov 11:23
