Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Proverbs 3:1-12
3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights. (ESV)
by Angie Osborn
Everyhing we own is God’s provision for us. We need to be willing to give (back) the “first fruits” to Him. When Steve and I first got married, I had a hard time with tithing. It literally pained me to write a rather large (considering our small income) check to the church BEFORE we wrote any other checks. Over time, God has used that obedience (even if I didn’t really want to do it!) to show me that he will provide. We have never missed a payment on any of our bills or done without anything that we needed. Our money has never magically multiplied before our eyes, but we have always had enough. Do I think that there is a magical power in tithing? NO! I do believe that there is God power. When we are willing to be obedient, God will bless us for honoring and trusting him.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
dbm