Blessing

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Acts 20:35

Paul had a great testimony of having a good work ethic. Whatever else could be said about him, he couldn’t be accused of being lazy. He worked hard as a tent maker as well as as a church planting evangelist. He was a great example to the Ephesian believers.

Many people work hard. But most of those who do, do so to line their own pockets. Paul worked hard in order to help the weak. Some people aren’t strong enough to support themselves financially, and instead of judging them, Paul helped to support them. I don’t think he was just referring to widows and orphans but perhaps to slaves and even as we would put it today, to the mentally ill.

It’s so easy to judge the weak as lazy, if we ourselves are strong. But we are to support and encourage them to find strength in the Lord. Paul quoted Christ: “it is more blessed to give than to recieve”. If there’s one thing better than getting a present, it’s giving a present.

To recieve a present puts you in someone’s debt, if not financially then morally- you owe them somehow. But to give a gift is to bless and to be blessed by God. So if God has given you gifts, don’t horde them up for yourselves, but be generous with them.

“God and Father, give us we pray the generosity to use our gifts to the blessing of others. Help us not to be spiritual misers, burying our talents. Instead, may we bless others, as You have so lavishly blessed us, amen”

Dwell

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, ‘Destroy.’
Deuteronomy 33:27

Where do you live? Well if you have faith in God as your own Lord and Saviour, it doesn’t matter if you’re homeless or a millionaire. Whoever you are as a believer, the eternal God is your dwelling place. The children of Israel had been homeless for 40 years. But Canaan wasn’t their ultimate dwelling place, God is.

Maybe you’re scared of hights. But if as a child with vertigo up a high mountain your dad holds you, you will feel more secure. Maybe it’s hell you’re afraid of. But again, if God’s got a hold of you, you will dwell secure.

The children of Israel were on the edge of the promised land. But it was full of enemies. Thankfully they weren’t alone in their task of driving them out: God decreed that they would be destroyed. So it is with our enemies- sin, death, hell and all the powers of darkness have been defeated by Christ in His death and resurrection.

Sometimes people act as apologists for the Canaanites, those poor people who got wiped out by Israel. But these were people who sacrificed their own children to their gods in a kind of religious infanticidal abortion epidemic. They were ripe for God’s judgement, and so are we. But thankfully God is merciful and delivers from the hell we deserve.

“Our God and King, have mercy upon us we pray for our rebellion against You, not least our unbelief that You care for us. We praise You for being our dwelling place and ask that You would keep us safe in You. In Jesus’ name, amen”