The young man had asked for and received half of his Dad’s considerable wealth. Finally, he would be able to do what he wanted, without the father’s concerned eyes on him. For a while now, he had made plans for all the things he wanted to do but never before was allowed to do. Spending his money faster than it could be printed, he soon had wasted his fortune on wild parties for his so called friends, living recklessly, squandering half of what his father had earned over a lifetime.
What if you had everything that you ever wanted at your disposal at this very moment? What would you do if you had beauty, talents, a good education, health, and all the money you might ever need?
Before you say “impossible, that will never happen”, listen to these words: “Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. A great description of what those who place their trust in Christ have been given. In short, “everything that we may need” for a life that pleases God.
Like the young man who received a fortune to do with as he pleased, Christians have been blessed with absolutely terrific promises. Of course there is the little matter of what we do with what we have been given. Are we hoarders of blessings or do we just “spend” everything on ourselves, caring only about our own desires and wishes?
God promised to bless Abram with these words: I will bless you and make you famous…and you will be a blessing to others. (Genesis 12:2) As followers of Christ we are mandated to bless others because of the blessings we have received.
The wonderful thing is, we do not even have to be filthy rich to do so. We can be the person listening to the heartbreak of others and provide encouragement. We can fix a pipe for a handicapped neighbor and safe him from harm; we can share the hope we have received with the hopeless. As we pray “Let your kingdom come” and pass on the blessings we have received, God’s kingdom will increase!
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