Philippians 4: 18-19
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
I know that this verse is talking about money, but I can't help but think that the word gift was used on purpose. Don't think for a second that all God wants is your money. He wants so much more than that. In fact, some of us don't have any money to give, but we can offer God our time or our talents. Now, those things should never replace giving money to a church, but God wants more than just your money.
It's not a bad thing to have stuff, but God doesn't want your stuff to have you! What I mean is if you can't give your last 10 dollars, then that's exactly what God will ask for, because he wants to be more important to you than stuff.
And verse 19 says that if we give then we can be confidant that God will supply all of our needs as well, because that's the kind of God He is.
-Jeff-
Philippians 4:14-17
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows. 15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
When Paul speaks of sharing in his difficulty, he's talking about money. The group that he was writing to had helped to fund his ministry, and this is his thank-you letter. I find the last sentence of this letter interesting. He says that he wants them to get a prize because of their giving. We should never give in order to get something, whether from God or from people, but if you read the Bible it's obvious that those who give are blessed.
Malachi 3 says this: 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!
This is the only part of the Bible where God says to test Him. When we give, God is there waiting to pour out His blessings upon us!
-Jeff-
Philippians 4:10-12
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
If there's one prayer a person should never pray, it's "God, teach me to be patient". If there's a second prayer a person should never pray, it's "God, teach me to be content". I know I've said this over and over again throughout this study, but PAUL IS IN PRISON!!!!! You wanna talk about someone backing up his words with actions!?! It would be easy to read this and say "Yeah, but Paul never went through what I'm going through." And you'd be right. I'm sure he never had to deal with his best friend getting a new video game, when all you have is this old one. All he had to deal with was Prison (twice), shipwreck (three times), beaten with rods (three times), stoned (not the good kind :p) (once). Not to mention the verbal attacks which I'm sure were constant.
When you have nothing it's easy to go into survival mode. It's when we start to get a little bit that we look around and say, why can't I have that? That's when we need to learn to focus on what God has given us, and look for ways to be a blessing to others (by the way, the word "concern" above could be translated as giving money).
-Jeff-
Malachi 3:10 & Luke 6:38
Malachi 3:10 (New International Version)
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my
house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not
throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that
you will not have room enough for it.
Luke 6:38(New International Version)
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken
together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the
measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Here in these two passages one from the Old Testament and one
from the New Testament they are basically saying the same thing. "GIVE"
How do we give to God...through tithe or 10% of everything we make.
This is a true story that happened to me when I first became a
Christian.
I was about 20 yrs old a new Christian and knew about
tithing...but...I was working construction and for two weeks only worked
a few days...it was a slow time of year for construction....anyway I had
just enough money to cover rent a little groceries and only had $20.00
to last untill next payday... 2 weeks away...but the $20.00 was my tithe
money.... and I still needed gas money, etc. I was sitting in the back
of church and as the offering plates were being passed around up in
front. I told God "I can't give this money, it's all I have for two
weeks, and I need Gas!".....the offering plate was getting closer. As it
finally got to me, I let it pass me by and did not give my tithe.
After church that day a lady named Margret Wiggins came up to me
and said. " God wants me to give you this" and she handed me a twenty
dollar bill! I ask god to forgive me for not trusting in him and said
never again God, and to this day have always tithed.
You see God knows our needs before we even ask him!
I learned a couple of valuable lessons that day:
1. Tithe & trust God no matter what the circumstances look like!
2. Listening to God and obeying his voice, like Margret Wiggins did that
Sunday morning!
Later,
DJ Jackson
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