|
In earlier
lessons we brought out that the poor in material things can be rich toward
God. When a person is baptized into Christ they are forgiven their sins and
they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). When we receive the
Holy Spirit we are given spiritual life (Romans 8:11). This new birth makes
us a child of God, and we are one of God’s heirs (Romans 8:16,17). We
receive spiritual treasures from God. Here is a list of some of them:
Our FAITH is now
more precious than gold refined by fire (1 Peter 1:7).
We have PEACE
that passes understanding (Phillipians 4:7).
We have JOY
that is unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).
We have LOVE
that is beyond knowledge (Ephesians 3:19).
We have HOPE
that anchors the soul (Hebrews 6:19).
God CARES for
us (1 Peter 5:7).
God will
never FAIL or FORSAKE us (Hebrews 13:5).
God chose the
poor in material things to be RICH in faith, HEIRS of God’s
kingdom
(James 2:5).
Since the
world belongs to God (Psalms 24:1) and we are God’s heirs is it not
reasonable that God will give us as much of this world as it is best for us
to have?
Christians at
Thessalonica were among those who had faith more precious than gold, and the
Apostle Paul told them their FAITH was growing exceedingly (2 Thessalonians
1:3). They were adding riches to riches.
The
Christians at Ephesus were told they had received the riches of God’s grace
(Ephesians 1:7). Peter tells all Christians to GROW in GRACE (2 Peter 3:18).
God richly
blesses all of His children. God wants them to take what He gives them and
increase it. Read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. God gives
us all we have the ability to use (see verse 15 of this parable).
When we are
born into this world God gives us a small body with all of its capacities.
With time, food and activity our body grows to adult size.
Jesus says we
come into God’s kingdom by a new birth (John 3:5). As new born babes we are
to feed on the milk of God’s word (1 Peter 2:2). Simple things we can
understand at that time. We are not to remain infants in Christ. God has
given differing gifts to members of Christ’s body, the church, to equip the
saints to serve and build up the body (Ephesians 4:11-13). With these we
become full grown, able to digest the meat of God’s word (Hebrews 5:12-14).
Learning God’s word and using it to guide us in doing God’s work will
strengthen and mature us until we are well informed, articulate, and
effective in our service to God and our fellowman.
Harvey
Childress, servant of Jesus Christ |
