O Most Generous God, You showed me an everlasting principle in the feeding of the five thousand. For You showed me that You not only want to meet my needs, but provide more than I could ask for or imagine. You could have simply fed the five thousand and I’d understand Your desire to meet my needs. However, there was plenty of food left over which tells me Your desire is to share generously with me all that I require. In this miracle, the situation You faced seemed impossible from a natural standpoint, but it actually was an opportunity to show Your power, compassion and generosity. Whenever I have needs, I must first put forth my best efforts and, whenever they are not enough, ask for Your help and let You do the rest. I must never lose sight of the things You’ve done for me in the past and realize they are not “one time only” incidents. In remembering, my faith is renewed.
In the parable of the loaned money, the master divided the money (talents) among his servants in accordance with their ability. No one received more or less than he could handle. If he failed in his assignment, his excuse could not be that he was overwhelmed. Failure could only come from laziness or a lack of devotion to the master. The talents represent the gifts You put into my life. You give me time, knowledge, talents and Your help … and, You expect me to use them to produce a good return. You hold me accountable for using what You give to me in a responsible and prudent manner. The issue I must deal with is not how much I am given, but how well I use it. If I manage it well, You will say to me … “well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things so I will put you in charge of more.” Being a good steward produces rewards that allow me to share in Your abundance.
You’ve shared with me that the way to obtain what I need is to ask and it will be given to me … seek and I will find it … and, knock and the door will be opened to me. What You are trying to show me is that I must persist in seeking the good things that You alone can provide. To know You intimately enough to ask for the things I need requires faith, focus, follow through and hope. I know that if I ask for good things You will not hesitate to respond with things that enable and enhance my life. You are not selfish, begrudging or stingy and I do not have to beg or grovel in making my requests known to You. In order to fill my life with Your abundance, I must not store up earthly treasures that are fragile and fleeting … and, instead, store up treasures in Heaven where they cannot be stolen or destroyed. What I need is spiritual vision to see clearly what You want of me. Only then will I truly understand that You are a God of plenty who wants to share with me. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that works in us, to Him be glory … forever and ever!