I thought I'd follow up from my last blog with one about blessings. It's easy to see that some Americans are hurting financially. Many homes are in foreclosure or can't be sold because of bad markets. For those who have lost jobs, the outlook for a new one isn't good. The ridiculous price of gasoline has caused everything to skyrocket. Let's face it, our economy is awful! I read a report today from the Wall Street Journal that many won't be able to retire until they are in their 80's!
So times are tough, and going to get tougher. So what? If you're a Christian, remember who your heavenly Father is! Let me ask you this, have you had to go without food? Sleep out in the rain? God cares for those who belong to His family. As adopted children, we enjoy blessings that others don't!
I thought about the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness for forty years. God provided manna for them to eat each morning. Exodus 16:18 says that "he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no lack; every man gathered as much as he should eat." I believe that principle still works for those who trust in the Lord. Not the manna part, but the providing for His people. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, "And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on Him because He cares for you."
But the best scripture for God's provision has to be Matthew 6:25-34. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? 27 And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? 28 Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! 30 And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? 31 So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own."
It's easy for us to get caught up in our culture and want more things. Let me encourage you to prioritize your blessings. The amount of money you have can be frivolously spent on unnecessary items. I believe He will take care of you always, but we all have a responsibility to be wise in our purchases. If you need financial advice to help dig your way out, I'd recommend Dave Ramsey's website, especially the tools section. If you were a long time getting in financial trouble, it might take a while to get out. Take small steps, but keep taking them.
In summary, God loves you and is going to supply your basic human needs. Don't be anxious about worldly stuff. And remember your table manners.
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