Thought for the Day – May 11, 2011

Philippians 4:18-19
I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.  And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  NIV

We cannot out give God.  When we give, He gives back.  This is not an investment formula as some health and wealth preachers proclaim.  This is a spiritual principle of generosity.  When you give, you will receive back.  In business I find this is true in many ways, often including financial.  When I am generous toward others, passing along business, making strong recommendations, arranging helpful introductions, I seem to receive the same in return.  This is simply the Golden Rule in action.

Paul said God will meet your needs.  He said nothing about your wants.  I just wrote about contentment.  This is contentment . . . resting in God’s provisions for your needs.  This does not mean you do not have goals and strive for higher accomplishments.  It does mean you live within your means.  The wants are not leveraged on credit.  Or, we don’t pray as Janis Joplin sang, “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?  My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.  Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends, So Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?”

God wants to meet your needs today.  Some of you have financial need, some medical, some emotional, others spiritual.  Our God is big enough, strong enough, wise enough, compassionate enough, to meet any need.  He is your Abba, your Father.  Trust Him.  Ask Him.  Love Him.  He loves you.

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