Friday, September 7, 2012
Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
GIVE THE GIFT OF THE GOSPEL
When discussing material possessions or "our stuff" it is best that we remember the words of the Psalmist (24:1): "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." Our stuff really belongs to God, who has handed it off to us, His caretakers. Our gracious God gives ability and health and strength enabling us to arise daily and labor to provide ourselves with the things of this life. Our gracious God would also have us give back to Him as an expression of faith, a thank offering for all that He has given us.
It is also plain that God would have us work with our hands so that we are able, when given opportunity, to help those in need. We aren't only working for ourselves and our families day by day. We are to be working as if the Lord Himself were our employer, doing our best to glorify Him by using the gifts He has given us.
If we have opportunity to give food to someone who is in need, we ought to think of them as someone for whom Christ died. We ought to do so with joy, not grudgingly. We ought to do so without any thought of receiving it back in return.
But the greatest thing that we can give is not to be found in a box or can. We have been entrusted with the Gospel of Christ. Give the gift that isn't only taken into the stomach and expelled. Give Christ. Speak the Gospel. Let the love of Christ rule in your hearts.
Work so that you may give earthly gifts to those in need, but don't forget to give them Christ.
