WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 - KAREN AND MONEY, SPIRITUAL TRUST

 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 - KAREN AND MONEY, SPIRITUAL TRUST

 “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.” (Philippians 4:19)

Can I really TRUST GOD to supply my needs?  That seems to be the heart of the matter.  (Or, can I really live a Godly life or just talk about it)?

Three examples:

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Story 1:

There is an old story.  A man has fallen over a cliff and has managed to grab a small branch about 15 feet from the top. He can feel the branch breaking.  He looks down and there are jagged rocks 200 feet straight down.  When he falls, if the initial impact doesn’t kill him, the jagged rocks will tear his body apart.  

He yells “Can anybody help me?”.

After a minute a booming voice calls, “I can help you”.

The man yells, “Who are you?”

The answer, “I am God.  Let go of the branch.”

The man thinks for a few minutes then yells “Is there anybody else up there?”

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The man in the story has a choice - believe God - and let go; or not to believe God and yell for somebody else to help.  He opts NOT to trust God (who says ‘let go’).

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Can I be so trusting in God?

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Story 2

There is a huge flood.  A man climbs up on the roof of his house.  He prays “God save me”.  He “knows” in his heart that God will save him.  Soon a boat comes by.  “Hop In” the boat owner yells.  He yells back “No, God is going to save me”.  

Soon a helicopter comes over head.  The water is deeper almost to the top of the house.  The pilot yells “I’m throwing you a rope”.  The man yells back, “No, God is going to save me.”

The water gets higher and the house is totally under water, the man gets swept away and dies.  In heaven, he asks God, “Why didn’t you save me?”.  God answers, “Hey, I sent you a boat and a helicopter.”

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What if I get into my senior years and have no money?  What if I’m out on the street at 90 years old and unable to work, and unable to find lodging and food.  Don’t I need to be saving?  Can I trust God to provide?  

I’ll admit to being a bit radical at times.  In my blind faith at age 74, I say “Ah yes, God will provide.”  What if he doesn’t?  (But, in faith I say, “I must trust God / He/She/It/The Force will provide”).  

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Story 3

In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indy and his father are searching for the Holy Grail - the cup of Christ.  The antagonists shoot his father (played by Sean Connery) and Indy has to get the grail to save his father.

  

One of the tasks Indy has to take involves “taking a leap of faith” - to cross a chasm.  (And, of course, in the movie, Indy does take the leap of faith and saves his father).

Can I take a leap of faith and say “God will provide?”

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There seems to be two parts to the Christian Message:

Part I - believe.  John 3:16 is a common verse: “ “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[g] his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 10:13 “ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

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Part II - action

Matthew 25:31-36 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

So, we are expected to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, and visit those who are strangers, those who are sick, and those who are in jail.

Matthew 6:3-4 “But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

 

(The implication is that we are GIVING people).  We have to give!!!  It is an expectation

 

2 Corinthians 9

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

God LOVES a person who gives CHEERFULLY!!!  Oh Boy!!!  Hallelujah - I get to give 1,000 to a needy person today!!  I get to give $500 to a musical organization!!  I get to give $2000 to scholarship funds!!  I’m dancing in the streets!!

(I’ve been kind of “stingy” in the past.  But, God loves a cheerful giver and I’m learning to give cheerfully - and trust God to supply my needs!!!)

“You can’t out-give God”!!

More tomorrow!!!

LOVE WINS!!

Karen

May 25, 2022