SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 31
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
The people of Israel responded immediately and generously by bringing the first of their crops and grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and all the produce of their fields. [2 Chronicles 31:5]
When Hezekiah and his officials came and saw these huge piles, they thanked the Lord and his people Israel! [2 Chronicles 31:8]
In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful. [2 Chronicles 31:21]
The people bring their first and best to the Lord, and the results are overflowing; Hezekiah seeks the Lord and His will, and is very successful.
The basic lesson from this chapter is that true wealth and success is more than having money or fame, it is rooted in a God-seeking, God-pleasing life.
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6:28-33]
What is it that we are running after in life?
Do we spend more time on how we look on the outside, or how we are on the inside?
Do we devote more energy building or decorating our houses, or improving the condition of our hearts?
Do we run after worldly riches, or eternal riches?
God’s promise is that He will take care of us; He urges us to put Him and His Law for life and happiness first, and He will take care of the rest.
So who are the richest, happiest, most successful people?
How many people do you know that spend their whole lives running after things that will not last, and end up miserable to boot?
One more thing, today’s passage reminds me that when people overflow with love and generosity, there is not a shortage but an abundance of blessing… somehow it multiplies.
Apparently God means it when He tells us to Him first and He will give us everything we need!
PRAYER:
Lord, the simple message for me today is that when I am rich towards You, You are rich towards me, and Your riches multiply through me to bless many others!
‘the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.’ They gave willingly and faithfully. And the priest had enough and even to spare. What a testimony of God’s people! Even His ministers did not have to worry about their provisions because they had more than enough. They could focus on their task. Wouldn’t that be great for all of His ‘priests’ today – no financial worries but only the focus on His Word? All this was a possibility because Hezekiah sought the Lord wholeheartedly.
So what riches am I after? Material or spiritual? All too often we spend the first part of our lives collecting our toys and the second part spending it on our health for happiness. We need to give freely to God’s kingdom at all times and He will multiply. Yet we/I still live in the me first mode – worldly gain. Help me to obey the command to seek You with all of my heart each day in every way Lord. Help me daily to be a blessing to others since I am working out of Your Word.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And his righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu..alleluia
Man shall not live by bread alone
but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God
Allelu..alleluia
Ask and it shall be given unto you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and it shall be opened unto you
Allelu, allleluia