How God's Blessings Require Gratitude and Responsibility
"To whomever, much is given of him will much be required, and to whom much was entrusted of him more will be asked." Luke 12:48 WebUS
A prayer I recently had was... Am I ready for when much is given? Is my heart and mind ready? Can You Lord trust me with much? You see I have been laboring in my world as a stay-at-home mom of three for years. I was back with God as it were after walking away for more than 15 years. I waited and then when I thought God gave the okay started a business.
I was in His word. I was slowly transforming and being renewed into whom I believe God wanted me to be. But in all that I knew I was not where God was ready to trust me with much. I write this for those working on ourselves Those of us aware we are not ready for much is given. I write so I can look back and remember what I should do when much is given to me.
God's blessings do require gratitude us being thankful for, showing appreciation for, and returning kindness and I can do that with having compassion.
How many times does the Bible mention Jesus being moved by compassion? And in illustrating to us who our neighbor is Jesus tells of a man moved by compassion. It is crucial I do not leave my compassion as I receive my much. And even while I may not have much I work on my generosity by giving from what I do have. I try to smile and be kind to all it is the simple things that may transform a person's day. Sometimes it does not have to be a million-dollar check sometimes it is letting someone over in traffic. What compassion looks like for each of us will be different.
There is responsibility linked to God's blessings.
As the parable of the ten, five, and one talents shows He gives according to our ability and He expects us to steward what we have been blessed with well. Our responsibility is to steward what He has given us with humility, obedience, and commitment to Him.
"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:12 I did not get to where I am by myself. While I did the work God did the heavy lifting transforming me from perfectionist people pleasing negative to a recovering perfectionist with boundaries and joy. I will not be exalted by myself God will and does that. "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another." Psalm 75:6-7 Lord help me never to think I did this on my own. Help me to lift You and praise You for using me as a vessel.
I should stay in His word. All that I am, all that I ever will be I owe to reading and sitting with and studying and listening to the Word of God. While I have a home church I try to regularly feed my soul with a variety of pastors. And while I love sermons or podcasts where I build my relationship with God is in the mornings by starting my day with God. Quiet time with Him is non-negotiable. “I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your Word.” – Psalm 119:15-16
“Who speaks for God? He does quite nicely for Himself. Through His holy and infallible Word – and the quiet obedience of His servants.” – Charles Colson
I should remain obedient to Him and what He says. Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14:23 It is important that I remember that while I may be able to afford the qualified experts to advise me on this or that, I continue to take all things to Him. Because He is not just my Saviour He is my Lord which means He did save me from death and gave me eternal life. But as my Lord, He rules my life when He says turn I turn. "He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." Luke 11:28