Good morning:
“You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing” (Ps. 145:16). Again today we will experience firsthand the truth of David’s words in the Psalm. The Lord lovingly provides us with food, shelter, income, and so much more. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). God is good!
But how good is God? If He is not limited in what He possesses and what He can give, why doesn’t He give us more? We’re conditioned to think that “more” is always better. If $100 is good, $1,000 or $10,000 must be even better. We thank God for the money and possessions we receive from Him, but do you ever thank Him for what you don’t have?
Winners of huge lottery payouts have been interviewed over the years. They represent people of various ages and backgrounds, but the vast majority have one common observation: They were better off in every way before they received their windfall of wealth. They were happier without all the attention and stress of managing millions of dollars. That’s not a surprise to God. He warns us not to get caught up in greed. “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction” (1 Tim. 6:9).
Let’s thank God not only for what we have, but for what we don’t have. May our attitude be that of Solomon when he prayed, “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Prov. 30:8-9). God is good, good in what He gives and in what He withholds. Praise Him!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor
Services tomorrow are at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday school begins at 9:15 a.m. and adult Bible class at 9:30 a.m.
