17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV)
Are you enjoying the provisions God has put in your life?
Have you ever gone through your day, sitting in front of the computer, walking down fluorescent-lit hallways only to come out into the light of day and cover your eyes from the brilliance of the sun? Without having enjoyed the outdoor beauty of the sunrise, it is hard to take in the sudden beauty of the sunlight. Life is like that. We are surrounded by gifts from God, but we stay inside, letting the blessings go by unnoticed. Then, in rare moments, we are struck suddenly with the splendor of his provision only to go back inside for the remainder of our day. Still the beauty remains, whether we notice it or not.
1 Timothy 6:17 says that God “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” It’s not just about existing…it’s about joy too. How wonderful to know that we can put our hope in a God who provides everything for us, not simply for our survival, but for our enjoyment. The sun not only provides warmth, but illuminates the yellows, oranges and reds of the deciduous trees in fall. Our friends provide security, but also laughter. The life God provides may not be what we ordered off the menu, but our circumstances are what God can use to draw us closer to him, and in him we will find joy.
Do you have security knowing that God will provide for you?
The rising and setting sun each day reminds us that God will provide. It is with this security—knowing that everything is God’s and that He will take care of us—that we can be generous with what we have. At Generous Mind, we believe that includes ideas as well as other resources. The capacity for creativity, problem-solving, and humor come from God and we have the opportunity to share those gifts with others.
And think of it. Verse 19 says that when we are generous, we will be rewarded with life. This not only means that God smiles when we give our resources to someone, but when we write a blog post that glorifies him, help someone solve a problem, or make someone laugh. When we give of ourselves we are being generous.
What resources has God given you that you are willing to share?
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