Blessed to be a Blessing
ICS Daily Devotions
Pride holds us back from acknowledging that God is the source of our provision. Some might argue that their hard work has brought forth their wealth, but let’s not forget it is God is the source of life. Nobody can extend their lives, and it was His breath that brought Adam into a living being.
Galatians 2:21 (NKJV) I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.
Secondly, nobody can obtain a right standing before God based on their own strength. We were given the imputed righteousness when we received Christ into our lives. Our salvation has nothing to do with our good works but is purely the grace of God because He has redeemed us through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV) “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Thirdly, it is God who has given us the ability to obtain wealth so that He may establish His covenant.
God is a God of covenant. Therefore, He operates within the covenant relationship with us. Since everything—from material goods to wisdom—is shared in a covenant relationship, He will provide for our daily necessities through our jobs or businesses, and He will also provide for us based on the calling and gifting that He has given us. If we truly trust in God and believe that God is our provider rather than people, we can be unaffected by and content in whatever circumstances. If we don’t want to compromise with the world when under pressure, we must make this a strong foundation in our lives.
2 Corinthians 9:8-11 (NKJV) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
This passage says that God ensures we always have all sufficiency and an abundance for every good work. The seed here refers to our tithe and freewill offering. God not only supplies the seed we sow but also multiplies them! It is the opening of the window of heaven that is referred to in Malachi 3:10. Therefore, there are two avenues for the Lord to ensure that we always have all sufficiency and an abundance for every good work, and there will be a constant flow of provision when God can trust you to be a blessing to others! You are blessed to be a blessing.
Sermon Series: Freewill Offering
