Entrusted Responsibility

If you’ve been given much and been entrusted with natural abilities and spiritual gifts, then much will be asked and required of you. This has all been given to you by God. It is your responsibility to use it all well. This should be your motivating and driving force for this life.

July's Message, Day 15:

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48b NIV

Along with the principle of "reaping and sowing," this principle of "entrusted responsibility," is paramount in God's economy. Not only should those of us who have been blessed with much in the way of possessions give generously, but we also bear a heavy spiritual responsibility. In addition to giving, we are entrusted to use all of our natural and spiritual gifting to build up the body of believers. There are multiple spiritual gifts and each believer has at least one if not more given to them by the Holy Spirit. We also have natural talents and abilities. The more the gifting, the more it should be used effectively, for God has given this to you. The list is long and varied, but just as an introduction, here are the main spiritual gifts: apostles, evangelists, pastors, teachers, prophecy, ministry, leadership, administration, mercy, giving, encouraging, helps, service, discernment, faith, healing, miracles, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, word of knowledge, and word of wisdom. So if your natural talents and abilities are significant and your spiritual gifting is also strong, be prepared to be asked by God to use everything in profound ways for Him. This is what you were created for, and this should be your driving force through this life. 

Seize Every Opportunity

Helping hands and encouraging words can go a long way in helping someone get on the road to healing and recovery. Always be willing to help provide the essentials such as food, clothing, and shelter, but don’t forget the encouraging conversation and a helping hand in the everyday tasks.

July's Message, Day 14:

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:37-40 NIV

Anything done unto just one believer is done unto Christ Himself. Sometimes we forget about the little things like hospitality and visitation, but these oftentimes can make huge differences in people's lives. We should never skimp on the essentials such as food, clothes, and shelter, but sometimes it's the visit or the phone call that can have the greatest impact. Conversation and encouraging words go a long way to help in people's healing processes. So too, does a real helping hand to run errands and do basic chores. There are innumerable ways in which we can make positive and lasting influences in people's lives. We just have to take the time and seize the opportunities.

Perfect Gifts from Above

We all enjoy getting gifts and we should enjoy giving that special and perfect gift to those we love as well. Sometimes we’re disappointed in what we get and how our perfect gift floundered. God, however, will not disappoint us, He always gives us just what we need, even if we think different at the time.

July's Message, Day 13:

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11 NIV

We all like to think of ourselves as good parents, and as such, should truly enjoy giving great gifts to our children and those we love. It's just one way to express our love and reap joy from the joy we bring to them. But we are imperfect, selfish, and sinful human beings and so we give imperfectly and selfishly as well. However, it is not so with our perfect, caring, and loving Father above. He certainly knows how to give the perfect gifts and has unlimited resources to do so. He is just waiting for our interaction with Him. He wants to hear about our victories and disappointments and hear our heart's desires. He already knows them all, but just like we need to sit and talk with our children, He enjoys the conversations, too.

Miniscule Goes a Long Way

Grandiose giving may be great, but God multiplies even the miniscule. Just give of your heart in simple things and simple ways and don’t overlook the insignificant. Nothing given from the heart escapes God’s attention.

July's Message, Day 12:

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matthew 10:42 NIV

It's not about the grandiose, it's about the intent and condition of your heart. It's as much how and why you give, as it is what you give. Give out of your abundance, but give when you are lacking as well. Giving of even a little is great therapy for the heart and soul, for both giver and receiver. So don't overlook those seemingly insignificant or unimportant opportunities to give. As God sees it and multiplies it, a very miniscule amount can go a very long way. Food meant for one can potentially feed the thousands.

Humble Anonymity

Be spiritually mature without recognition, and give freely of yourself anonymously in humility. God sees and knows all and He’s the only one who matters. The only recognition and reward you need comes from Him.

July's Message, Day 11:

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4 NIV

God knows your spiritual condition and God knows your heart in giving freely of yourself. You do not need to announce and proclaim your spirituality. If it is true and from the heart, it will be self-evident. Likewise, nor should you publically parade your giving and service done unto others. No one needs to know besides God, as He is the only one who eternally matters. Humility is prized above all else, and being anonymous is a wonderful thing in the kingdom of God. Humility in this way allows you to be free to do and give with proper motivation, and with no ongoing external pressures. So be spiritually mature without recognition and give freely in humility and anonymity. The best recognition and rewards come from Him.

You'll Find What You Seek

For Sunday:  Every breath you take and everything you have and everything that you are ultimately has its source in Him. It’s all His, so give freely of His goodness by sharing yourself with others who are less fortunate. Giving from the heart is the ultimate healing therapy.

July's Message, Day 10: For Sunday

Seek Him and you'll find Him, seek trouble and you'll find that, too. Give to gain and give to live. The universe revolves around God's economy, not the reverse.

Day 4:

But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. Jeremiah 20:11 NIV

Day 5:

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Hebrews 13:17 NIV

Day 6:

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 NIV

Day 7:

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:7-11 NIV

Day 8:

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV

Day 9:

Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it. Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner! Proverbs 11:27-28,30-31 NIV

Follow your heart and give freely of yourself. Listen to the beckoning call of the Divine Whisper and follow His lead.

Leave a Lasting Legacy

You will certainly find what you seek. Seek Him and find favor and thrive, or seek "Other" and live in evil, fall, and be forever forgotten.

July's Message, Day 9:

Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it. Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner! Proverbs 11:27-28,30-31 NIV

It comes down to this: Who are you seeking, and in whom do you put your trust? You will find what you seek, whether good or bad, and you will also live in the consequences of those choices. Choose to thrive, to find His favor, and to live in eternal bliss with Him. Be wise in His eyes, save lives by sharing your testimony, and know that even greater will be your reward in heaven, far exceeding anything that you'll experience here on earth. What about the others, who reject Him, choose the path of evil and destruction, and trust in self and the world? They too, will receive their just reward, here and in eternity to come. They will eventually fall, perish, and be forgotten forever. Leave a lasting legacy and seek and follow Him.