First Things First - Day 60 Month 3-1 Week 9-4

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)


Exodus 35:20-36:38 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2035%3A20%20-%2036%3A38&version=NASB1995

Isaiah 44:9-28 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2044%3A9-28&version=NASB1995

Mark 7:24-8:26 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%207%3A24-8%3A26&version=NASB1995


First Things First


In Exodus, when God’s people are asked to give, they respond!  At least that’s what is happening when Moses asks the people to give towards the building of the tabernacle.  They have to be told to stop!  We can learn from that today.  It’s easy to be stingy.  It’s something that I struggle with.  When money seems tight, I have a tough time giving it away.  Truth be told, many of us have an abundance.   When God asks, we should be ready, willing and thrilled to be a part of God’s plan and give what’s required to fulfill His plan.  


I grew up attending a church whose mission was to reach out with God’s love to a world that needs to see Him and meet Him.  The founder of the church placed banners on the wall throughout the auditorium during our annual “Missions Conference.”  One of the banners I remember clearly was “You can’t outgive God!”  


I don’t think God is asking us to be reckless with the provisions He has provided for us but He is asking us to trust Him by faith.  As an example, I may not be able to fund a project on my own, but it's funny how I can find $2 for a candy bar or $2.35 for a coffee.  Maybe, I can provide $20 towards a project God’s called me to participate in (for instance, can put the above $4.35 towards it).


As a child, I had no idea how God continued to provide, but my father would give 20% of his income by faith to reach out to the world.  As kids, I’d see the toys and nicer things my other friends had and be envious, thinking “the Bible only suggested 10%!”  Without considering what we had (which was already more than many kids in the city), I felt like my dad was crazy.  Well, my dad proved that you can’t outgive God.  


I am retired now, and I’m comfortable because God has provided above and beyond what we needed as a family.  When I met my Syl, she told me I had no idea what being poor was.  She’s right.  God looked after us.  I just didn’t realize it.  It’s not always financial but He does look after us because He knows all our needs and desires (that may or may not be frivolous) .


Jesus also shows this in our Mark reading today.  He has compassion for the 4,000 people because they have been there for 3 days without food and He said “If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way.”  The disciples find 7 loaves of bread and a few fish to give to Jesus.  He blesses the food and asks the disciples to hand it out.  After everyone had eaten there were 7 baskets left over.  When we rely on Him, His provisions are often beyond what we need.


In our Isaiah reading today, we read about the wasteful worship of idols.  An idol that we’ve made with wood or cast with metal or clay - the work of a craftsman.  Unfortunately, we also can put other idols around us that separate us from “I AM.”  You see, anything that carries a higher value to us than God, is an idol.  It can be money, prestige, the car we drive, the house we live in, “obsession” with beauty or health, the relationships we are pursuing, the power we attain to, the sports teams we follow and much more.  I wonder how many Jesus followers put the men's gold medal game ahead of God?  


Our pastor wrote something in the church newsletter this last week. He wrote, “It does not seem like a difficult decision for God’s people where they should be on that morning (referring to Sunday morning).  Out of respect for those of us who might like to watch the game later in the day without knowing the outcome, if you become aware of the results, we would ask that you not share them…”  


You see, there is putting God first and then wanting to experience the excitement and cheer for a sports team and country.  It’s simply important to remember that God needs to be first.  


Have a great day!

Steve


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