2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13 ESV, Romans 15:23-16:9 ESV, Psalm 25:16-22 ESV, Proverbs 20:16-18 ESV
Daily Verse: “For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.” (Romans 15:27 ESV)
SARKIKOS (4559): “Pertaining to flesh, i.e., bodily, temporal, or animal, unregenerate: carnal, fleshly. Signifies having the nature of flesh, i.e., sensual, controlled by animal appetites, governed by human nature, instead of by the Spirit of God.”[i]
Nature of flesh.
Sharing our blessings helps us keep perspective. Giving away material possessions, especially the most treasured, challenges anyone.
Because of the gas prices, I purchased an electric bike. Since I live close to church, grocery store, restaurants, the movie theatre, etc., I can bicycle everywhere. When one of my walking buddies told me her intentions to buy a bike, I let her borrow mine for a test drive.
The nature of my flesh didn’t want to lend the bike, but I knew in my spirit what I needed to do.
Lending her the bike for a weekend helped release its hold on me. When worry popped in my head about the bike’s condition, I reminded myself that relationships matter more than things. We can’t replace people, but we can replace stuff.
Generosity encourages.
Not only does sharing our blessings with others encourage them, but it also uplifts us. My friend had so much fun with my bike. Our relationship with each other and Christ continues to grow as we share spiritually and materially.
Full confession, I struggle with guilt because of the material blessings in my life. After visiting El Salvador and witnessing the poverty and conditions of their homes, I recognize my blessings. Landing in Atlanta, I felt the consumerism of our country grip me. Americans take for granted more than most of the world ever will have.
But God does give us material blessings. What we do with His gift matters more than how much we have. Sharing with others, blessing them, just like we did with the El Salvadorians, makes the difference. We took food and necessities when we visited their homes.
When we delivered food and necessities, our new friends shared their spiritual blessings with us, worshipping the Lord with joyous hearts. Years later, their faith still encourages me.
Life with God comes with all kinds of blessings. Share your gifts with those around you, and shed heaven’s light into a dark world.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 224) Thomas Nelson
