There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
--Acts 4:34-35
I know many people whom God has blessed with financial abundance. While they were in that mode of growing and developing their young family and getting their business started, they were faithful to the Lord, serving the Lord, and living for Him. So God gave them success.
But before long, many of these people began to remove themselves from the presence of God’s people. Then, they stopped serving the Lord and became more concerned with making money than they did doing God’s work. And before long, their success had changed them for the worse.
This story is far too often repeated among God’s people today. And here in our culture, at the most financially blessed time in human history, so many are dying in spiritual poverty. It’s affecting their families, their relationships with others, and their service to God.
Now, whether you’re blessed with financial abundance or not, the eternal principle never changes: serve God with what He’s given you. If it’s abundant wealth, serve Him. If it’s a great family, serve Him. If it’s good health, give your life to His purposes. God’s greatest desire for you is to be obedient and faithful with what you have today!
NO MATTER WHAT GOD BLESSES YOU WITH, BE OBEDIENT AND FAITHFUL WITH WHAT YOU HAVE AND LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR HIS KINGDOM PURPOSES.
Thursday, November 07, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:”
Hebrews 11:36–39
God always blesses faithfulness. We see this truth demonstrated over and over both in Scripture and in history, yet God’s blessings do not always align with what we would prefer. Many through the years who were faithful and committed to doing what was right suffered greatly. Even today around the world Christians are being martyred for their faith. Has God failed to keep His promises? Of course not. We should never allow temporal circumstances to control our belief in God’s love and provision for His children.
John Bunyan spent years in jail in England because of his refusal to take a license to preach from the Church of England. He recognized the heresy and corruption that had taken over the church, and would not be part of it. It was in that jail cell that he began the masterful Pilgrim’s Progress which remains one of the best-selling books in history. Bunyan said, “In times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God.”
It is a mistake to focus only on the things of this world. Eternity is much more important. While there are rewards in this life for obedience, the greatest rewards are yet to come. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).
Today's Growth Principle:
Whether we see rewards on earth or not, God is faithful and never fails to honor those who honor Him.
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