RICHER THAN RICH
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, ESV
Theme: Keep on giving because it’s God who provides for you, and He has every resource you could ever need.
ALL THE THINGS
There are so many scriptures that remind me of how rich God is. Does that seem gauche? I mean, I would never pick my friends by their portfolio or love them because of their resources. That’s not why I love God, either. But I am very aware that He has promised to care and provide for me. He has told me repeatedly that He has more than enough to do that! Here’s a short list of His assets:
• Every animal of the forest;
• The cattle on a thousand hills;
• The world and all that is in it.
“King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth” (1 Kings 10:23, NIV). Yet in Luke 11:31, Jesus proclaims that Someone greater than Solomon has come—Himself! Ephesians 3:8-9 (ESV) tells us of “the unsearchable riches of Christ...who created all things.”
WHO CARES?
So why does it matter to me, especially since His wealth is not what drew me to Him, nor do I love Him for what He can do for me? It matters because it puts me in the framework of trust and reminds me that I am in the family, an inheritor with Christ. In the middle of the night, when I think about an upcoming expense (next college semester, the hospital charges, or the income tax bill), I turn to God. I “cast all my care on Him” because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7).
Then I remember my own actions; not to justify myself to God, but to see if I have been obedient. Have I been tithing? Have I been generous? Responsive to opportunities and needs He has put before me? If so, I can claim the promises I find in the Bible.
PRAYING SCRIPTURE
Sometimes I tell Him, “Lord, I am laying this problem at Your feet. You have promised to provide for the righteous. You have said it will go well for the generous and those who lend and love justice (Psalm 112:5). That you will act on my behalf, if I wait on You (Isaiah 64:4). You promised that You will not allow my children to go hungry (Psalm 37:25). That You will open the windows of heaven and pour down a blessing until I have no need (Malachi 3:10-11). That Jesus said You, God, already know what I need, and You have promised to answer when I call” (Matthew 6:31-33).
So, you may ask: Are you praying Scripture and reminding God of His promises? It sounds like that, but I am reminding myself of the promises. I am intentionally reciting all the reasons I can trust in God. I have seen Him answer and rescue time and time again, but when the unexpected expense or trial comes, and I am awake in the dark of the night, I need to remind ME that God always cares for His own. No matter what it looks like minute to minute, God prevails, He provides, and He rescues.
BOLDNESS
Does this seem arrogant or presumptuous? I hope not. I want to be bold, yet completely dependent on my Father God. I want to be generous and confident that whatever He asks me to give away, He can replace, so that I will have everything I need to do any and everything He will ask me to do. He promises “all sufficiency in all things at all times” so I can accomplish His good works (2 Corinthians 9:8b, ESV).
Make It Personal: So, keep on giving! Make generosity a part of each day. If God will always provide for us and if everything belongs to Him anyway, we should position ourselves to be under the umbrella of His care with every need supplied. We should give without fear of the future. We should give for the sheer joy of giving, knowing God has got us covered!
Pray: Father, Thank You, Thank You. You have given me more than I ever deserved or imagined in the salvation of Jesus. You have been faithful in caring for me, my family, and my needs. Thank You that we can be “enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11b, ESV). In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Ephesians 2:4-7; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Weekly Memory Verse: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9, ESV