Often a “casual” reading of the Bible causes us to
somewhat pass over inspired, important, thought-provoking phrases.
During a
recent “casual” reading of the Bible, this author
came across a familiar phrase
that is truly thought provoking. The Holy Spirit, using the pen of the
great apostle
Paul wrote, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of
you lay by him in
store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no
gatherings when I
come” (1 Corinthians 16:2, emp. added). Obviously, in the
context of this
verse, Paul commands regular and adequate giving on the part of the
Christian. The
privilege of weekly giving is truly an important part of worship that
must not
be taken lightly or done grudgingly (cf. 2
Corinthians 9:7; Acts 20:35).
However, the phrase, “…as God hath prospered
him…” causes this author to
reflect upon the goodness of God and His willingness to give good gifts
to His
children (cf. James 1:17;
Luke 11:13).
Meditate upon just a few of the areas
wherein God prospers you.
First, God has
prospered you physically. Take, for instance, the
very fact that you
are able to read such an article as this and comprehend it. Would that
blessing
alone not prove the case that you have been blessed with a competent
mind? Consider
also the fact that your eyes are at least well enough to focus upon the
words
contained herein. Would that not confirm God’s prospering of
you physically
with a good (or at least decent) pair of eyes? How often do we fail to
really
appreciate the good in our physical bodies because we merely focus upon
the
bad? Thank God for your physical prosperity!
Secondly, God
has prospered you spiritually. To those who are
Christians, Jesus
promised to give a full and abundant life (John 10:9-10). Surely this
abundant
life, among other things, involves a life of peace (cf. Philippians 4:7-9) and a
life of purpose (cf. 1
Corinthians 9:25). Paul, by inspiration,
reminded
the church in Ephesus,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
hath blessed us
with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
Christ” (Ephesians
1:3, emp. added). Thank God for your spiritual prosperity!
Thirdly,
God
hath prospered you eternally. To the faithful
obedient, God promises,
“…that they may have right to the tree of life,
and may enter in through the
gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14). Truly, all blessings
will culminate in
the greatest blessing known to mankind, which is none other than
spending
eternity in heaven! This blessing was and is God’s eternal
plan for His
creation (cf. Ephesians 3:11).
God
sent Christ into the world to save the world from sure destruction
(John
3:16-17). Thank God for your eternal prosperity!
What
an awesome contemplation is ours to consider the
prosperity wherewith God hath prospered us. The Psalmist said best,
“Blessed be
the Lord, who daily loadeth us with
benefits, even the God of our salvation” (Psalm
68:19, emp. added). Christians,
daily count your blessings wherewith God hath prospered you!
“Praise God from
Whom all blessings flow!”
