When are God's resources ours?

We exist in a blessed state. We are a child of the King. We have untold, unlimited riches at our disposal. Why? Our Father is the richest person in the universe. He owns and runs all of it. In fact, He isn't just the "CEO" of the universe, He designed and made it -- and not out of existing materials but from scratch. Not only did He make it, He keeps it all going, from the farthest star in the infinite reaches of the universe to the most minute particulars at the quantum level yet to be discovered.

So when does our wealthy and infinitely powerful, wise and loving Dad offer his unlimited resources to us? In all things at all times (2 Cor 9:8-11). 

The question however is when are we ready to receive them?

If those resources are our focus, He will not give us the combination to the vault or issue us an unlimited debit card. If however using His resources to Honor Him is our desire, we have cart blanche to all He owns. What is His, is ours. If we ask anything ¹in His name He'll give it to us.

He’s simply looking for wise children He can entrust His resources to that will use them in a way that draws attention to Him - not us - advances His kingdom - not ours - and brings others into His family.

When we use God’s resources ¹to advance His glory, His resources are fully available to us.

Does this always translate into material riches? Not necessarily but it can. Generally, the riches of God are spiritual in nature but can be material. And certainly, all blessings, in whatever form, are already fully secured for us in Christ and will be fully ours one day if not now. If not for Christ none of this would be ours. 

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." 2 Cor 8:9.

How do we know we are ready to receive all God offers? 

Scripture says, "he who is faithful in little will be given more,,," ("he" included women as well).

Are we faithful - full of faith - in those things God has already given us? 

To whom much is given much is required. 

Do we take the immense greatness and majesty of God seriously and use all He gives ¹to point others to His greatness? If we do, all that is His is ours.

Are you in or out?

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life i.e. riches in this life are not truly life. God who grants all things is life. - 1Ti 6:17-19

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. - 2 Co 9:6-11 

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, - 2 Pe 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every  spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, - Eph 1:3  

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. - 2 Cor 8:9  

Pro 3:1  My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

Pro 3:2  for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

Pro 3:3  Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Pro 3:4  So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Pro 3:6  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Pro 3:7  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

Pro 3:8  It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Pro 3:9  Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

Pro 3:10  then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Pro 3:11  My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,

Pro 3:12  for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Pro 3:13  Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

Pro 3:14  for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

Pro 3:15  She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Pro 3:16  Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Pro 3:17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

Pro 3:18  She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Pro 3:19  The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

Pro 3:20  by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

Pro 3:21  My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,

Pro 3:22  and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

For a discussion on the dangers of the "prosperity gospel" and  pursuing riches click here. 

For a discussion on "sowing and reaping" click here.

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¹Our greatest challenge is knowing our own heart and when we are acting truly for God's honor and the advancement of his Kingdom, not our own.

You cannot fully trust someone you do not love. True or not?

You cannot fully ¹receive love from someone you do not trust and you cannot fully trust someone you do not love.

To the second half of this statement some might object, “… can’t you trust someone you do not love?” Yes to a degree, however to fully trust another requires that you have the utmost admiration and respect for them; so much so that you truly value them and their input. To come to this level of trust you must believe they have your best interest at heart i.e. they love you. When you trust someone at that level you will also love him or her in return. Therefore you cannot fully trust someone you do not love. Agree, disagree? Your feedback is welcomed.

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¹If someone shows kindness and care to you but you suspect their motives are to ²get (take) something from you instead of give something to you, you will never receive their love properly. You will not be able to experience their kindness for what it actually is  because you cannot fully receive love from someone you do not trust.

That's not to say you can't experience and benefit from their kindness, it's just that their kindness has a "string attached" that eventually expects and requires something from you in return for that kindness. Whereas true love expects and demands nothing in return. We call this unconditional love because no conditions, expectations, or demands are tied to it. When we love unconditionally our care and kindness (love) is about the other person and what is best for them. 

No one can love in this way until they understand and receive God's love 1st i.e. to give love in this way they must be full of His love (for further discussion click here). To give and receive love properly we must 1st be whole ourselves. We cannot be whole unless we're plugged in to the source of love.

This is why it's critical we understand that God needs nothing from us. That all that we already are and have comes from him. There's nothing we can give Him that he does not already have. 

Though God can truly and genuinely enjoy our worship, this is not the same as needing it. God already gives and receives perfect love between the Father, Son, and Spirit and therefore needs no other love.

²even if it's only your admiration and praise. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be admired and appreciated. God designed us this way so we might be in a relationship with him. Our problem is looking to and depending on others to give to us only what God can. The is deficit motivation. The more we are plugged in to God and derive our sense of value from him the more we desire to give not get or take from others.