Verse 9 stuck out in my mind as I read Chapter 3 last night. We are to give our FIRSTfruits, not our second, third, or leftover fruits. This is a hard one to read and obey.
Verses 21-26 are very comforting to me. They help me to understand how important it is for me to obey God and cling to him. If I do, I have nothing to fear. It reminds me of the song "You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman.
Well. This was a tough one. Vss. 27-28 first stuck out to me because they seem a bit out of place, but this is a TOUGH teaching.
Vs. 27 (NIV) - Do not withhold good from those that deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Vs. 28 - Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" - when you have it with you.
The hard word in there for me is WITHHOLD. That word means that there is good "set aside" by God for that person, and I have the choice to give it to them or not. The MESSAGE says it this way:
"Never walk away from someone who needs help; your hand is GOD'S HAND for that person. Don't tell your neighbor, 'Maybe some other time,' or 'Try me tomorrow,' when the money's right there in your pocket."
God has good in store for that person, but will I be His Hands to deliver it or CONTINUE to make excuses?
Looking at chapter 3, I see this as a father talking to his children before going out into the world and making his or her own mark. VV.5-7, to me, talks about getting the focus off of you when it comes to attaining wisdom. vv.9-10 deals with giving God what is HIS FIRST(not leftovers or scraps). That's tough especially in these economic times; however, PHil. 4:19 says that God will supply all needs according to Christ's glorious riches. I want God to show favor to me; however, I need help in that department. This is convicting, yet inspiring. Great piece.
As I look back over chapter 3 I think I see a big picture developing. If Solomon's son will really listen to what he is saying, and constantly remind himself that the Lord's way is the correct way. And that even if other wise people tell you of another way, you always go back and remind yourself that the Lord's way is the correct way. And if you give the Lord and his wisdom the proper respect they deserve, you will find peace and confidence in life and be able to discern who deserves (vs:27) to be shown good and generous treatment when it is possible for us to give it to them. Verses 28 - 31 seem a little out of place to me because if you did the previous part of this chapter and gained what you were supposed to you wouldn't do these things. then the last few verses encourage us once again with the rewards for living the Lord's way.
Verse 9 stuck out in my mind as I read Chapter 3 last night. We are to give our FIRSTfruits, not our second, third, or leftover fruits. This is a hard one to read and obey.
ReplyDeleteVerses 21-26 are very comforting to me. They help me to understand how important it is for me to obey God and cling to him. If I do, I have nothing to fear. It reminds me of the song "You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman.
Well. This was a tough one.
ReplyDeleteVss. 27-28 first stuck out to me because they seem a bit out of place, but this is a TOUGH teaching.
Vs. 27 (NIV) - Do not withhold good from those that deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
Vs. 28 - Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" - when you have it with you.
The hard word in there for me is WITHHOLD. That word means that there is good "set aside" by God for that person, and I have the choice to give it to them or not. The MESSAGE says it this way:
"Never walk away from someone who needs help; your hand is GOD'S HAND for that person. Don't tell your neighbor, 'Maybe some other time,' or 'Try me tomorrow,' when the money's right there in your pocket."
God has good in store for that person, but will I be His Hands to deliver it or CONTINUE to make excuses?
Looking at chapter 3, I see this as a father talking to his children before going out into the world and making his or her own mark. VV.5-7, to me, talks about getting the focus off of you when it comes to attaining wisdom. vv.9-10 deals with giving God what is HIS FIRST(not leftovers or scraps). That's tough especially in these economic times; however, PHil. 4:19 says that God will supply all needs according to Christ's glorious riches. I want God to show favor to me; however, I need help in that department. This is convicting, yet inspiring. Great piece.
ReplyDeleteAs I look back over chapter 3 I think I see a big picture developing. If Solomon's son will really listen to what he is saying, and constantly remind himself that the Lord's way is the correct way. And that even if other wise people tell you of another way, you always go back and remind yourself that the Lord's way is the correct way. And if you give the Lord and his wisdom the proper respect they deserve, you will find peace and confidence in life and be able to discern who deserves (vs:27) to be shown good and generous treatment when it is possible for us to give it to them. Verses 28 - 31 seem a little out of place to me because if you did the previous part of this chapter and gained what you were supposed to you wouldn't do these things. then the last few verses encourage us once again with the rewards for living the Lord's way.
ReplyDelete