My brother, my sister, let’s learn to imitate the good behaviours prescribed in the Word, not the wrong attitudes promoted in the world. In today’s passage, we read that Apostle Paul was satisfied with whatever he had, wherever he was, as long as he could do God’s work. As Christians, we should always examine our attitude towards wealth and comfort: if you focus more on what you don’t have than on what you do have, it is time to eexamine your priorities and put God’s work back in first place in your life.
The Bible tells us that Apostle Paul was a tentmaker and he supported himself with the work he was doing. Besides, he did not work to become rich, but to be free from being dependent on anyone… and to be able to help people in need, especially those who were traveling with him (Philippians 4:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 2:9). Unfortunately, greed and self-centeredness have made many believers to live only for themselves and their little family these days. So many believers are exactly like the rich man in Luke 16:19-31… even the crumbs they don’t want, they would rather give their own dog than someone else. Let’s not forget that God did not create man to be alone or to live selfishly. 2015 is finishing in a few weeks.
My friend, start checking the account of how you have applied these words of Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (verse 35). Check what you have received from God up to today (including the breath of life, health, a roof, food, diverse goods, marriage, children, deliverance, healing, restoration, etc…) and see how you used it, for the Lord says He blesses us for us to be a blessing (Genesis 12:2). Is your blessing balance balanced between what you have received from the Lord and what you have given to be a blessing? Well, God said: “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away” (Matthew 25:29). You can determine how you want the years to come by applying God’s Word faithfully… He did not just send Jesus, He gave Jesus for us… Giving is a principle of our generous Father. Stop making promises or thinking that you have to give… Imitate your Heavenly Father, lest you make yourself foolish before His eyes. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.