Monday's Blessing
Proverbs 11:25
“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
The reason many people are not growing is because they are not sowing. They are living self-centered lives accompanied by a sense of entitlement. If we can't find work, we can find food stamps. Who wants to work when I get more from the government in subsidy anyway?
"I've worked at this job for 12 years. I'll be darned if I'm going to help clean the rooms just because their sales is down!" Mary quipped.
"You want me to give $5 to support this family that is having financial difficulties? Well, I just can't, I have my own financial issues. I give help to my AA friends, that's how I give back," Sue exclaimed.
"I have given that child a ride to school all week. I'm just not doing this anymore. It takes time away from my much needed down-time in the morning. She needs to get a better car. I'm done!" Jane discussed.
But unless these people change their focus and start reaching out to others, they will probably still reap the same frustrating situations that they are adamantly refusing to do for others. These situations include: depression, financial insolvency, social isolation, and loss in spiritual faith.
For the Scripture says, "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7). Throughout the Bible, we find the principle of sowing and reaping. Just as a farmer must plant some seeds if he hopes to reap the harvest, we, too, must plant some good seeds in the fields of our families, careers, businesses, and personal relationships.
Some people retort, "You know I've got my own problems to deal with. There are just too many needy people out there. I need to get out of my own mess." Sadly, this is HOW you get stuck in your own mess. You are going against the spiritual guidance of God. Helping someone else GETS you out of your own mess.
The Bible says, "In times of difficulty, trust in the Lord and do good" (Psalm 37 1-3). It's not enough to say, "God, I trust you. I know you are going to meet all my needs." That's like farmer not planting seeds and expecting a fabulous harvest. Scripture says there are two things we must do in times of trouble. First, we must trust in the Lord; and second, we must go out and do something good. Get out there and sow some seeds! Get out of that sense of entitlement expecting God to fulfill all your needs. It doesn't work that way.
If you are lacking in friends, don't sit at home night after night. Get out and go to a nursing home and find someone who is lonely you can befriend. Go to a hospital and volunteer some time to cheer someone up. If you start sowing seeds of friendship, God will bring someone great into your life. When you make one of God's children happy, God will make sure that your life is filled with joy.
You need to get more seed-oriented then need-oriented. In your time of need, don't sit around thinking and praying about what you lack. Think about what kind of seed you can sow to get yourself out of that sense of entitlement.
This Week's Meditation:
Dear God,
Help me to focus on the needs of others rather than on my own. I know that if I plant seeds of goodness in other people's lives, you will do something similar in my own life.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. And realize God has you in his arms always.
Proverbs 11:25
“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
The reason many people are not growing is because they are not sowing. They are living self-centered lives accompanied by a sense of entitlement. If we can't find work, we can find food stamps. Who wants to work when I get more from the government in subsidy anyway?
"I've worked at this job for 12 years. I'll be darned if I'm going to help clean the rooms just because their sales is down!" Mary quipped.
"You want me to give $5 to support this family that is having financial difficulties? Well, I just can't, I have my own financial issues. I give help to my AA friends, that's how I give back," Sue exclaimed.
"I have given that child a ride to school all week. I'm just not doing this anymore. It takes time away from my much needed down-time in the morning. She needs to get a better car. I'm done!" Jane discussed.
But unless these people change their focus and start reaching out to others, they will probably still reap the same frustrating situations that they are adamantly refusing to do for others. These situations include: depression, financial insolvency, social isolation, and loss in spiritual faith.
For the Scripture says, "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7). Throughout the Bible, we find the principle of sowing and reaping. Just as a farmer must plant some seeds if he hopes to reap the harvest, we, too, must plant some good seeds in the fields of our families, careers, businesses, and personal relationships.
Some people retort, "You know I've got my own problems to deal with. There are just too many needy people out there. I need to get out of my own mess." Sadly, this is HOW you get stuck in your own mess. You are going against the spiritual guidance of God. Helping someone else GETS you out of your own mess.
The Bible says, "In times of difficulty, trust in the Lord and do good" (Psalm 37 1-3). It's not enough to say, "God, I trust you. I know you are going to meet all my needs." That's like farmer not planting seeds and expecting a fabulous harvest. Scripture says there are two things we must do in times of trouble. First, we must trust in the Lord; and second, we must go out and do something good. Get out there and sow some seeds! Get out of that sense of entitlement expecting God to fulfill all your needs. It doesn't work that way.
If you are lacking in friends, don't sit at home night after night. Get out and go to a nursing home and find someone who is lonely you can befriend. Go to a hospital and volunteer some time to cheer someone up. If you start sowing seeds of friendship, God will bring someone great into your life. When you make one of God's children happy, God will make sure that your life is filled with joy.
You need to get more seed-oriented then need-oriented. In your time of need, don't sit around thinking and praying about what you lack. Think about what kind of seed you can sow to get yourself out of that sense of entitlement.
This Week's Meditation:
Dear God,
Help me to focus on the needs of others rather than on my own. I know that if I plant seeds of goodness in other people's lives, you will do something similar in my own life.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. And realize God has you in his arms always.
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