Proving Faithful

March 16th 2016
Scripture: Luke 16:10-11 (ESV)

Proving Faithful

"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?"

It is very human of us to want to be put in charge and in places of authority. My first time driving by myself, I was entrusted to go return a set of books to the library. It was a three mile trip, and I thought I could handle more responsibility than that, but my parents started me off with little to see how I would handle it. I did what they asked, and their confidence in my driving grew over time, and so did mine. 

A lot of times we can find ourselves asking God for more; a larger budget, a bigger worship team, more children, a bigger house, more committed people to your dreams and visions. But God will often times be the parent saying, "I may give those to you later, but for now, let's stick to what you have." If you are screaming for more responsibility and not getting it, chances are you might be neglecting what you already have been given. Until I am responsible with the few things, I will never get my hands on the many, simply because I'm not ready for it yet. A strong oak tree does not develop overnight, but reaches out just a little higher than yesterday.

Take inventory: who has God placed in authority above and below me? What resources are available to me? Am I doing the best I can with what I have? Am I respectful to those in charge of me? When I respect those in authority with humility, I am being faithful to the place God has put me in. I must be content with what God has given me, but also committed to do the best I can, no matter how little I feel it is. 

"Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me the desire to do great things for you. Help me to take what I have been given, not grumbling about it, but proving faithful with a good attitude and humble heart. I know you will give me more when I'm ready. I trust you. Amen."

Daily Dependence

March 11 2016
Scripture: Proverbs 30:7-9 (ESV)

Daily Dependence

"Two things I ask of You; deny them not to me before I die: Remove from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be filled and deny You and say, 'who is the Lord?' or lest I be poor and steal and profane the Name of my God."

The first of the two things asked here is somewhat easy to grasp; "to keep me from lying." This leaves only an authentic self, which is a desirable thing. But the second seems a little harder to grasp; "give me neither poverty nor riches." In the world of gain, we want progress not poverty. Besides, isn't richness a sign of God's blessing? The problem is seen in our need and dependence for God. If He blessed us with all we ever needed, we would become forgetful and deny that we even need God because we have all we would ever need and more. So then, we should desire to be poor? Not quite, if we become so desperate that we steal and cheat to get what we need, we profane and disgrace the Name of our God.

This reminds me of Exodus 16, where the people of Israel were depending on God in the wilderness to give them manna that was dropped down from Heaven. God would always drop enough for everyone for that day, but when some tried to save extra in their tents over-night, they would find nothing but maggots in the morning. 

I must learn to develop the Daily Dependence for all my needs; seeking not to become rich and independently sustained apart from God, but seeking righteousness, not richness. 

"Lord Jesus, I thank you for promising that You will take care of me. Help me to become daily dependent, seeking You rather than what I can gain from You. Amen."