GIFTS VS THE GIVER
Psalms 73:1-3 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
This is not an uncommon thing. Many people have not been so fortunate as Asaph. Often new Christians or Christians that do not have a sound doctrine, understanding of God and his word, or Christians that are still more committed to the world and the things it has to offer than that of Jesus and the spiritual realm fall to this temptation. Satan, the powers of darkness and the evil of this world want to hurt Jesus by trying to entice Christians away from Jesus. We would like to think that is is impossible as so many denominations and pastors that preach once saved always saved would like for us to believe. But the very real fact is the Bible tells us time and again that God respects our free, and if we want to turn from Jesus he will let us do it. Nothing can take our salvation from us, but we can give it away just like Esau gave his birthright away for a bowl of soup. Many Christians have given their salvation away for much less. It can be as little as the approval of someone, or to not put up with children making a fuss about going to church.
In the United States and other parts of the world many yield to materialism and greed. In 2007 and 2008 an economic depression hit the United States very hard and even some other parts of the world. It was brought about by sinful practices of greed in the banking systems. The results of it was dramatic as people lost homes, savings, retirement and with businesses closing people lost jobs that they thought they would have as long as they wanted. The tap root of all this is the carnal nature. This is the aspect of not wanting to do God’s will. Those people in banking that caused such dramatic loss and sorrow knew what they were doing as wrong. Yet they did it anyway. And the sad thing was that they were not held accountable for it, and in fact many continued in their multi-million dollar a year jobs. The government and judicial system allowed the guilty go free, because many of them practice the same immoral, sinful practices. They see nothing wrong with getting ahead by someone else's expense.
The thing is they are wrong. Even if our legal system will close their eyes to their sinful practices, the Lord God will certainly not. They will have to stand before the Lord and try to give account for what they did, but they will not be able to. Their sinfulness will be exposed for what it is. Matthew 16:26,27 says, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”
There is nothing wrong for a Christian to be wealthy, prosperous with the many wonderful blessing that are in the world. Jesus has blessed me with my hearts desires certainly more than what I deserve. But all my blessings only cause me to glorify the Lord even more, because I know that he gave them to me. The problem comes when the things of this world become more important to us than Jesus. Psalm 37:4 tells us to delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 145:19 tells us that the Lord fulfills the desires of those who fear him. We don’t have to envy the wick or non-Christians for their abundance. What the world gives the world will take away, but what the Lord gives the world can not take away. Even though when I die someone else will get my hot rod, chopper, my autographs and mineral collection, they can’t take away the joy and thanksgiving that I have for Jesus giving them to me. Even among my display of junk as some see it, I have a written note that proclaims this junk is a constant reminder of the goodness and love Jesus has for me. In other words what I have in life is special to me, because it reminds me of how much Jesus cares for me.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for blessing your children so much. The world has nothing over your generosity. Please help us to never put our gifts above you our giver. We love you Jesus!
