No Negotiation! (part 4 of 4)

When God sent the ninth plague (the darkness), we read the third concession Pharaoh attempted to NEGOTIATE with Moses for allowing the Israelites to go into the wilderness to worship God.

"(24) Then Pharaoh called Moses and said, 'Go, serve the LORD; your little ones also may go with you; ONLY LET YOUR FLOCKS AND YOUR HERDS REMAIN BEHIND.'" ( Exodus 10:24)

Satan's deception also advises: "If you really must worship and your family has to be involved too -- go ahead. Just don't commit any of your possessions to your religion. Hold your money back. Give yourself to God, but hold back your possessions. If you must worship, don't give every aspect of your life over to God."

Is there anything we are holding back from God? If we have truly given ourselves to God, everything we own should be viewed as belonging to Him as well. God gives us these things and wants us to be good stewards of them. How well are we using whatever we have to bring glory to Him?

As we commit our life to the Lord He gives it back with the desire that we will use it to His glory and praise. As we give our life to Him as a freewill offering, His will is for that to continue to be characteristic of our life and all we have. This spirit was seen among the Macedonian brethren. When a collection was being taken up for needy saints in Judea, the churches of Macedonia did not want to be left our of this opportunity to share. Paul stated...

"(4) begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints -- (5) and this, not as we expected, but THEY GAVE THEMSELVES FIRST TO THE LORD AND THEN BY THE WILL OF GOD TO US." ( 2 Corinthians 8:4-5 ESV)

Because these Christians had fully committed themselves to the Lord they were eager to use whatever they possessed to meet the needs of others to the glory and praise of God. Their willingness to give was an acknowledgment of their thanks for what they had as well as a statement of faith regarding God's continued provision.

May we truly come to understand what it means to give ourselves FULLY to the Lord. This will cause us to be good stewards of our possessions as we find ways to use them for Divine purposes.

Have a great day FULLY COMMITTED TO GOD!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 01/26/2001 (edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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See other teEn-MAIL on Receptiveness