“²⁸Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” – Ephesians 4:28 (ESV)

How good does it feel to give? I find it so satisfying to pass something on to others and see the authentic gratitude on their faces, when there was not expectation that they were going to receive.

And where does that passed on come from? My own pockets and honest gains. In my job, I receive gift cards for the work that I do that goes above and beyond the role of my job. They are not large is monetary value and for me are just extra that I was not expecting to receive. That said; I have on a number of occasions given those gift cards away to others that have demonstrated a need by simply stating the need or in the way their demeanor is at the time. The joy and gratitude they exhibit is so rewarding for me and gives me the drive to do it again.

As I think of the joy I feel and why, I cannot help but think that those that are giving away something that is not theirs (the thief) feels basically nothing and the gift is more of a financial transaction that really means nothing to them in the grand scheme of things. There is nothing to feel as that which they “gift” was not theirs to give anyway.

Yes, there is positive impact to those that I have given to, but the real benefit is to me. I take something of mine, transfer to someone else, and my heart is filled with the joy and honor of providing for someone else. Not out of obligation, but out of love, care, and service for others in the interest of being the example of Christ.

I am excited for the opportunity to share what I have earned, not for any accolades or recognition from the outside world, but out of service to others and providing for their needs. My family has been blessed with enough for us to make it and whereas we have received from others more fortunate as they gave to us out of service, we are now in that position and will share all that we receive with others as we pay it forward out of service. I will continue gaining and in that will also continue giving.

What are your thoughts about those that give from ill gotten gains? How do you feel when giving to those in need? What is the change in your feelings when you are giving from your honest gains?

“⁶One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.” – Galatians 6:6 (ESV)

This seems like such a simple verse and that is what I thought at first. I will say that after reading through it a few times, I was less confident in what God had planned for me through these words. I spent time reviewing the verses of reference (Romans 15:27 and 1 Corinthians 9:6) only to read too much into the words and further confuse myself.

Then, I read the commentary from my ESV Bible and I was able to understand. “Paul instructs the church to support its teachers materially—with food, money, and whatever good things are appropriate.” And it hit me. Our “good things” are those that are in excess of what I need. And those things I am instructed to share my excess with others and those others are identified as those who teach the Word of God.

With the exception of a few staff members, those that teach the Word of God are volunteers and are giving of their time and love to bring the gospel to me. I am receiving the gifts they are giving. They are simply following the path that they have been provided by Christ. I am on the receiving end of those gifts and it is up to me to share with them to demonstrate that their giving is not in vain.

I know of those in the world that have taken the approach of “serving God and getting rich”, but they are the minority of those that serve our LORD. I do not know a pastor or minister that serves for themselves. In fact I was a member of a pastor search committee and the pastor that we called referenced that what we were offering financially was not what he was hoping for, but in the very next statement said that he was called to serve and not to get rich. That pastor did not want for anything while at our church as the congregation made sure they shared with his family.

Those that give to us the Word of God are not in it for themselves, they are in it as service to God. It is my duty to be sure that they are taken care of by sharing my “good things” with them where I can.

When you are looking to those who share with you God’s Word, are you aware of their service? Are you looking to get from them without reciprocating back? Will you look to share with those who give the Word of God to you?

Is there enough of God to go around for all of us? YES!!!

“²¹For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. ²²Not then the kindness and the severity of God: Severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.” – Romans 11:21-22 (ESV)

God gives to all of us and will continue to do so as long as we remain in Him.

“⁵I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (ESV)

I am tied to God and have the privilege of experiencing all that He has for me when I am a part of Him. And those that are not naturally a part of God, have the same opportunities to share in His nourishment and love.

“¹⁷But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,” – Romans 11:17 (ESV)

I may not have started as a part of the family of God, as we all did not, but I had the opportunity to become a part of the family. I was accepted as I was added with care.

Graft: ²to implant (living tissue) surgically. Merriam-Webster Online

I was added to the family of God surgically as a living being. I was accepted by the living God into the family and cared for as of an original part. As God cares for the family, so will He care for me and give me the opportunity to live and grow from the nourishment that He provides. I get to share in all of God with all of those that have come before me and all of those that come after me.

I have to be sure and remember that I must do my part and maintain my belief as a member of the family or I could be cut off as those that were naturally a part of the family. And those that were a part of the family have the opportunity to be added back if they recover their true belief.

“²⁴For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree…¹⁸do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who supports the root, but the root that supports you.” – Romans 11:24 & 18 (ESV)

I am called to share in the nourishment provided by God. As noted in verse 18 above, I do not support God, it is He who supports me.

When you look at your life, do you feel as though you belong to God? Are you working to make God look good through your support? Are you sharing in the support and nourishment that God provides for you instead?

How much is needed in order to feel and or be provided? I know that there is this thought that we need so much in order to comfortable in our lives. But what is needed to be comfortable?

“¹¹And he answered them, ‘Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.’ ¹²Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ ¹³And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than you are authorized to do.’ ¹⁴Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.’” – Luke 3:11-14 (ESV)

Ultimately I have to determine how much is enough, but God’s Word will certainly provide directions as it does here in Luke. If I have 2 of something, I should be sharing one of them. I should be content with what I earn and put it to good use in my life. There is nothing wrong with looking for more, however I have to be sure that I am achieving the more in the right way and not at the expense or to the detriment of others. If I have more, I should look to share more as well.

John the Baptists is sharing with the people as he is baptizing them. He is reminding them of their duty as Christians and how they should be going about their lives. No matter the position I am in, I have a duty to share with others. I may not have monetary items to give great amounts, but I can serve and treat others with Christ-like love in each and every situation.

I titled this study “If Excess Then Share”. I believe that there are those that are looking for more than they need thinking that will somehow improve their status or standing in the world. I have fallen into that trap in the past and have to take a strong look at myself daily to be sure that I am using what God provides to the advancement of Him. When I look at the how, I have to look at the what I have been granted and then how can I share that with those around me.

What is your approach to earnings out there in the world? How are you using what God has blessed you with? Are you sharing the excess that you have been provided?

Getting distracted is extremely common and even joked about often, even in my own home. One of our boys gets distracted easily and because of it, he has been nicknamed “Squirrel”. I know that I struggle as man staying on task and as such I struggle getting thing completed.

“⁴No soldier gets entangle in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” – 2 Timothy 2:4 (ESV)

Paul, writing to Timothy, is encouraging him to stay on task. Understand and know what he is working toward and stick with it. As a young man, Paul knew that Timothy would be easily distracted by what was being presented to him. Whether it be the “ways of the world”, riches, or the like, Timothy would be tested to get involved and in doing so, may not recognize the depth of his involvement. Paul simply reminded Timothy to be aware and remember why he was there and to whom he ultimately reported, The LORD.

I find sometimes a need to take a step back and remember reasons for what I am doing. Am I doing for my own satisfaction? What about to self aggrandizing? Or looking for someone to put me on a pedestal? I have to remember that I am here to please God and everything I do should take be toward the purpose.

I am just a man and need those reminders to stay on task. The world is a very intriguing place and will test all that I am. Satan is there at every turn to turn me away from God and my purpose of pleasing Him. He wants nothing more than to distract me from my task to build himself up and draw attention away from God and the glory, blessings, provisions, and love He gives each day.

I should not ignore, or avoid getting involved in the world around me. After all, the people around me are in that world and as a disciple of Christ, it is my duty to bring the gospel to them. What I do have to remember is just that. I have a duty to bring the gospel to the world and in doing so that will please God.

What tasks are you being distracted by? How can you get back to the task of pleasing God? What can you do to stay on the task that is your purpose, to please God?

“⁹Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, ¹⁰for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,” – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (ESV)

Most leaders know that if you want a focus on something that you simply highlight it and everything else is drowned into the background as that highlighted item is brought to “light”. I was taught once from a leader of mine that “if you see something you like, recognize it and you will see more of it”. This seeing something you like is what Paul is doing here. Drawing attention to the great work being done puts a focus on it for continued action.

What Paul did was to encourage them to continue doing well and urges them to do more of it in the name of Christ.

“¹Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ESV)

Paul demonstrates what right looks like for us as Christians here. He is clear in that pleasing and walking with God are instructions given. Then he acknowledges the work being done and encourages them to do more of it.

What kind of work have you seen done? Would you consider those things something that Christ would like? Would you urge and encourage more of it in the interest of pleasing God?

I remember watching “Leave it to Beaver” as a kid and the one character that stood out, other than the Beaver was Eddie Haskell. He was quite the charmer and deceiver. When he was with Wally he was a mischievous instigator. But, when he was around the adults, especially Mrs. Cleaver, he was the perfect complimentary gentleman. Now, everyone was up to his “game” but Eddie continued to pour on the charm to get his way.

“³For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, ⁴but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. ⁶Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 (ESV)

Paul wrote to those at Thessalonica and early in his letter addressed the lack of deception from he, Silvanus, and Timothy. He pointed out that they could have demanded the “royal” treatment and could have taken advantage of the situation to pad their own pockets, yet they did not. They were there simply to spread the gospel and bring opportunity of salvation to all.

Now I know that “Leave it to Beaver” was just a make believe show and Eddie Haskell was just a character, but how many “Eddie’s” do I know in the world. How many bring one thing to me and then turn right around and bring something else to others, all in the name of getting something out of it for themselves.

I have to be careful in talking about this, for I do believe that we should adapt to those we interact in order to have an effective and efficient interaction. Mirror the other person in order to help them feel comfortable and open up. But, that is not the license to deceive them into doing something that only benefits me. I have to come from a place of authenticity so as to build them up so that they are able to grow. And all of this in the interest of pleasing God, not myself.

It is my duty to help others, but not with a mindset of pleasing myself. I am called to serve others, but not build myself up. When I have in my mind to please God and my actions are geared to that end, I find myself bringing goodness and service to all without looking out for what I my get in return. Eddie Haskell I am not and I have to prove my authentic caring, serving, and loving self each day with the object being to please God.

How many Eddie Haskell personalities do you know? When you look at yourself, what actions do you take that might confuse others? Are you in it for your pleasure and to get something or are you there to please God?

I am one that believes you get what you are due based on the work that you do. I do not feel as though we are due something just for existing or showing up. Society it seems, based on what I see and experience, believe that we are “owed” something for just being there.

This passage gave me some trouble this morning and only after reading the commentary and moving some things around was I able to put things together. Only taking one view of something may not provide the proper perspective for our understanding and therefor I have to take a look at multiple angles. On a regular basis as I read and study, I find myself taking this similar approach to gain understanding and this morning it certainly provided that view for me.

“¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. ⁹So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10-9 (ESV)

Yes, I put the verses in reverse order. And I did it for a reason. Paul indicates that “we make it our aim to please him”. My question is, why? And verse 10 provides that answer as I am looking this morning. So why not reverse them and provide the why before the action.

We are to “appear before the judgment seat of Christ”, so why not prepare for that appearance with our pleasing of Him. We receive what is due and the due based on our actions, and therefore shouldn’t my actions be directed to please Him.

I am accountable for the actions that I take and in order to get something in return, I am required to do the work. My purpose is to please the LORD and when I take that on and do the actions needed to realize my purpose, my time at “the judgment seat of Christ” will be rewarded based on those actions.

When you look at what you receive, are you getting without giving? Are you looking for the reward without taking the actions? What if you were to please God based on the anticipation of going “before the judgment seat of Christ”?

I have been instructed to please the LORD and doing so God will provide for my needs. In addition to the obvious choice of Jesus as my example, I should also do as Paul instructed those to which he wrote letters.

“³²Give not offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, ³³just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. ¹Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 10:32 – 11:1 (ESV)

Paul did not concern himself with his own circumstances as was evident of his being imprisoned for doing nothing. Even in his most dire of circumstances, Paul was lifting others up so they would be rewarded. In doing so, Paul was rewarded in heaven and even in this world. We study his letters and instructions to the people knowing that they are of God.

I get bogged down in looking for the reward in the world today where I should be more concerned with building others up so they can get their rewards. I should be looking to imitate the life of Paul and the way he concerned himself with others even as he suffered for them as he did. What can I do to be sure that others are taken care of well before myself?

I think that is it. What you say is it? I should take care of others before myself. I should not be concerned with winning the race. I should not concern myself with leading the pack. I should be working each day to aid others in their search and quest for reaching the pinnacle. I should be working to please others and not concern myself with how I will be rewarded. I will be rewarded, much like Paul, in heaven.

How much do you concern yourself with victory? Do you find yourself putting your own reward over that of those around you? What if you were to please others and not concern yourself with your own reward?

I find myself dealing with a fair amount of anxiety each passing day. Have I done enough? Have I been a good father? Have I been a good husband? Am I doing well enough in my work?

As I read the questions above that I ask myself, I do not see one that is driven toward my anxiety toward my relationship with the LORD. Do I have anxiety about that relationship? Am I concerned with it? What should I be feeling?

“³²I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. ³³But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, ³⁴and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. ³⁵I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (ESV)

Paul lays it out in the verses above. I should be free from anxiety. I should simply devote myself to the Lord. In doing so, I will be free from any anxiety that might rear up. With my focus on pleasing the LORD, I will not allow the world to bother me. I will not have to concern myself with whether or not I am a good father, husband, worker. I am good enough.

I have been given the gift of salvation and with that gift, I am free from the shackles of this world and should only be living for the LORD and my inheritance He provides. I have to free myself from the worry of the day to day and drive myself to “undivided devotion to the Lord”. My purpose is to please the LORD.

What about you, are you worried about your standing in this world? Is your anxiety driven by the standards of those around you? What if you only gave your “undivided devotion to the Lord” and lived your purpose to please Him?