“PAYING GOD”
(Psalms 50:1-23; 73:1-28; 74:1-23)
“Bring my faithful people to me — those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.” – Psalm 50:5
What do you owe God? Your time? Your talent? Your treasure? I have heard more sermons based on those three things through the years than I can count! And, truthfully, there are many folks who seemingly believe they can acquire the blessing of God by giving more of their time. Or by using more of their abilities. Or, even by putting more money in the offering plate! And, the reality is NONE of those things can buy one bit of favor from God!
Now, don’t get me wrong… believers in Christ indeed SHOULD give their time to serve the Lord faithfully, and use their God-given talents for His cause. And, yes, they should give of their fiscal resources to advance the Kingdom of God.
But, you do those things as a matter of being a good steward – a good care-taker – of what the Lord has provided for you. You don’t do it to earn God’s favor!
Simple Truth:
Recognizing that all you have and all that you are is only because of what God has given you – what will you do with your life?
Reflections:
- “First-fruits” or “left-overs”? Because you love God, you return to Him the first part of what He has provided for you. You don’t give Him what remains after everything else is satisfied.
- What God needs and what God wants. (:8-14) He doesn’t “need” anything you have. It already belongs to Him! But, what He “wants” is for you to trust Him, thank Him, and obey Him!
- Lip service or honest belief? (:16-23) If you “talk the talk” then you need to “walk the talk!”
Application:
The Bible says “Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” (Psalm 119:11) The more that you have of God’s Word in you, then the more your life will be lived for God.
Closing Prayer:
Father, as I start this new day, I renew my commitment to You. Let my life be lived in such a way that represents the living Christ within me. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
About our Author
Tim Satryan has been in full time ministry since 1980. He has served five churches in four states. He has also served as the District Youth and Music Director for the PennDel Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, was the Presbyter for the state of Delaware for over a decade, and for a number of years traveled with the AG Church Multiplication Network, teaching church planting and church revitalization.
READ MORE
December 15 – Reading 349
DECEMBER 15 - Reading 349by Chris Rainey | December 15“DO NOT DESPISE THE DAY OF SMALL CONVERSATIONS”(Colossians 1:1 – 4:18; Philemon 1-25) Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow...
December 14 – Reading 348
DECEMBER 14 - Reading 348by Rev James M. Armpriester, Jr | December 14“THE POWER OF A TRANSFORMED MIND”(Philippians 1:1 – 4:23) “I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” —...
December 13 – Reading 347
DECEMBER 13 - Reading 347by John Pra | December 13“OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS”(Ephesians 4:1 – 6:24) “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16 Time is one of God’s...