Share Much?

Are you a good sharer? Do you think you are you generous? Is there a test for this? When put to the test our tendency is to fall back on our human nature. Example: put a toy in between a couple of two-year-olds and see human nature in their responses, right?

What’s mine is mine…and what I want is mine too.

If you are like me, I find myself wanting to share from my excess. I am willing to give or share some of my stuff as long as I have enough for myself. And what happens if I get more? Do I give or share more? Nope…I would just raise our standard of living. That’s fair isn’t it? I mean if I do not look after myself then who will?

As a believer or better, as a follower of Christ, we have the very words of God on how He will meet our needs – both spiritual as well as physical. Do you believe this? Do you believe that God can or will provide enough for you?

I pray for God’s provision, and so should you. But I have to admit that often times I find myself telling God how and what I need Him to provide for me. My prayers start sounding more like a shopping list than a conversation with my Creator. Like if I don’t tell God what I need then He won’t know. Like the God of the universe and author of life is so busy, I need to make sure He knows I am here and knows what I need…c’mon, really?

Want to try something crazy? Well do ya? Stop praying that God will provide for you…and start praying that what He has provided, you can and will, recognize as enough. Think about this…consider you already have enough.

Now listen to these words from the Book of Proverbs:

"Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9 (NIV)

The author asked for TWO things from God:

First, to have lies kept away, and second to give him neither poverty nor riches, but only his daily bread. He is asking for truth and just enough to live on. That is CRAZY! It sounds like he is asking to live paycheck to paycheck…no savings or 401K…because he says otherwise he might forget about God.

So hold on…this guy is an Old Testament Jew who would have been supporting himself and his family, the church (tithing), and giving to those he knew were in need, and he prayed that prayer? I KNOW IT’S CRAZY!! Who would do this…and why?

I believe the author is suggesting that if he were to recognize he had enough, he could live rejoicing each moment for what it is, and not be in a constant state of worry about what is to come…

So I dare you to try it…read Proverbs 30:7-9 and make that your prayer…

Just saying…

Serving our Savior,

Pastor Pat