Provision for Need, Not Greed

 

Psalm 105:40-42 (NRSVue) - They asked, and he brought quails and gave them food from heaven in abundance. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river. For he remembered his holy promise and Abraham, his servant.

The Psalmist speaks of God’s provision.

But God’s provision went beyond food and water.

God gave land and descendants to Abraham.

Before he sent drought and famine, God provided Joseph.

When enslaved, God provided Moses.

When freed, God provided the people with the spoils of their masters.

God still provides today.

But it is important to remember that he satisfies our need, not our greed.

Christ reminded His followers of this when He taught them to pray.

Matthew 6:11 (NRSVue) - Give us today our daily bread.

Even during difficult times and negative headlines, God continues to provide.

In fact, we are a part of that provision.

The world God created is remarkable.

No two people, not even twins, are exactly alike.

And everyone has specific needs.

As we make our way through this world, let us follow the example Christ set.

Let us pray for God to provide for our need and not our greed.

And may we find it in ourselves to give as we have received.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 15, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, September 22, 2023

To Rule or to Serve

Judges 8:23 (NRSVue) - Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you.”

Gideon was a judge and a man of war.

But before he was either, he was a farmer who hid from the Midianites.

Although Gideon’s faith was small, God used him.

God used Gideon and a small army of 300 to defeat the Midianites.

What we learn from God is twofold.

God can and does use those whom He chooses.

God also takes what is initially a small faith and turns it into a bigger one.

After the victory, the Israelites wanted Gideon to rule over them.

Most would be tempted to have both rule and authority.

Gideon declined both.

Centuries later, Christ dwelt among us.

He also spoke of the importance of humility and service.

He spoke of this when he denounced the Scribes and the Pharisees.

Matthew 23:11 (NRSVue) - The greatest among you will be your servant.

But Christ did more than speak about service.

He demonstrated this as well.

In John 13, Christ washes the feet of his disciples.

John 13:13-15 (NRSVue) - You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

In fact, His entire life upon earth was an example of what it means to serve.

Christ reached out to the sick, the outcast, and the downtrodden.

In fact, He served all mankind in the most selfless act of all.

He willingly laid down His life in order that we may live.

So, like Gideon, may we resist the temptations of power and rule.

And, like Christ, may we welcome the opportunities to serve which surround us daily.

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, September 1, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, September 8, 2023