Careful What You Ask for, You Might Just Get It

Isn’t that the point. Asking for something and expect to receive it. I would think so. But, what if I received and was not really as happy about it as I thought I would be.

This is what happened to the Israelite people with the LORD. You see, God provided manna for them to each when they were in need. They were satisfied from a consumption of sustenance perspective. They had even gotten to the point of not just consuming it, but they were making bread cakes with the manna to mix it up as opposed to just eating what was provided. But, as is the case even today, they developed a lack of contentment and began complaining about not having meat to eat.

Aren’t we that way as well. We have what is needed, a house, a car, food, work. And yet, even with all of that, we still want, a bigger/better house, a newer/more expensive car, elegant food, high paying job. We lose our contentment as we desire for things that are “better”. We had found a way to make due with what we had and yet, we continue asking for more.

Well, God heard the people and decided to give them what they ask for.

“¹⁸And say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat.’” – Numbers 11:18 (ESV)

And just like that, the people would have what they were asking. The LORD was providing for them as they had requested. And doesn’t that happen for us as well. We ask the LORD and He provides, even to the tune of what we want.

But, the LORD was teaching them a lesson at the same time.

“¹⁹You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, ²⁰but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, ‘Why did we come out of Egypt?’” “33While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague.– Numbers 11:19-20 & 33 (ESV)

And there it is. The LORD provides in so much bounty that it would consume them entirely. The people got what they wanted and even more. The more was not expected, but they got it anyway. The LORD provided the meat for them and in true human nature they consumed it to the point of gluttony.

Aren’t we very much the same today. We ask for things from the LORD and He provides and we simply consume without the appreciation for it. We only become gluttonous. We cannot get enough of what we ask and turn away from the LORD in the process.

I have to remember that it is not what I have that makes me who I am. It is being content that what I have is enough. It is okay and encouraged to ask for things from the LORD. He wants us to ask and even tells us to do so. But it is the why we are asking that is important to remember, not the what we are asking. I have to remember that it is about needs and not wants. I have to remember to be content in the provision of the LORD. I have to be careful asking, as I may just get it.

What are you asking for from the LORD? Are you asking out of want and find yourself gluttonous? What if you kept you asks to your needs and when provided, were thankful and generous to others with what you receive?

Jealousy/Envy Leads to Irrationality

This morning as I continue my study with the word “will” I am reminded of how jealousy/envy play on our lives and how we progress in this world. I am reading Genesis 37 of Joseph and his brothers. The brothers were jealous/envious of Joseph as he was the favorite of the father, Jacob. It was no secret and they had it out for him. Not to mention that Joseph had dreamed that they would bow down to him, which made things even worse.

The brothers were filled with such jealousy/envy that the began to conspire to rid themselves of Joseph. I am not sure as to what they thought they would receive for doing so, only that with Joseph out of the picture, they would somehow be elevated in position with Jacob. But we do not see this in the text here. We only see that they wanted to rid themselves of the shadow that was Joseph and as such, they took to irrational action.

“’²⁰Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.’ ²²And Reuben said to them, ‘Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him’—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. ‘²⁷Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.’ And his brothers listened to him. ³¹Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.” – Genesis 37:20,22,27,&31 (ESV)

Look at the above verses and see all of the discussion and action taken by the brothers of Joseph. Does any of it seem rational. And, I see the web being created that if one of them were to find conviction, would be able to unravel. This is not rational action of any kind, and it is all due to the jealousy/envy they had for Joseph.

What did Joseph really do? Well, he was loved by his father. He dreamed and interpreted those dreams. The actions of the brothers were that of those who were jealous/envious of Joseph for things that were not really of his doing. Sure, Joseph could have held his dream interpretation to himself, but the dream and its meaning was from God which was completely missed here.

The brothers reacted irrationally as they did not work to understand all that had or was occurring. Doesn’t that happen all the time in our world even today? Think about all of the actions of bad actors and the reasons they are doing them. Largely it is due to jealousy/envy of something or someone. And that something or someone are not doing things intentionally to others, it is just the thoughts and feelings manifest from the evil one that lead to the jealousy/envy and those irrational actions.

How do we get past them? We slow down and work to understand. We work to realize that whatever is for others is for them and that whatever is for us is for us. There is no reason for jealousy/envy in my individual world. God has a plan for me and I am to be content in that plan and the receipts from that plan. Paul says it best.

“¹¹Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” – Philippians 4:11 (ESV)

What are you jealous/envious of? Are you taking actions based on your jealousy/envy and is it rational to take those actions? What if you were to instead, slow down and understand the work you are taking for the LORD and to be content with that which He provides for you as a result?

Gain Through Contentment

Having it all is very ambiguous. It is different for each person. For one it might be having more financial wealth than anyone can think. For another it might be family around all the time. And still for another it might be waking each day to experience all that God provides. Yes I am studying God’s Word and that last one is where I am this morning, but it is worth noting that not everyone feels the same way.

“⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain, ⁷for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (ESV)

Here, Paul is writing to encourage Timothy to be content that He has God, food, and clothing. All else is fleeting as when we come into this world we have nothing and when we leave, we take nothing with us. It is important to be satisfied with what we have and know that God will provide all that we NEED to make it through.

Now, this is where it gets a bit sticky. “But there are people that have millions of dollars and lots of family, they are so much better off than I am?” This is the thought process of someone who is looking to be like someone other than Jesus. Jesus did not have all the monetary things, yet He was blessed beyond anything anyone else could imagine. He had the Father and His friends and that is all He needed. All else would be provided in the moment from God and Jesus knew this. I have to remember to have the same approach daily. It is not about what others have, it is about what I have that has been provided by God.

Having the monetary things are not evil. It is the next two verses in the passage that spells out the reality of things.

“⁹But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” – 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ESV)

Desire and love of riches is where things go wrong. When someone has done well and is giving back and frankly, does not worry or concern themselves with “things”, they are content. It is okay to have the things when the heart and mind are in concert with the will of God. Things are needed to do great things.

I think of our church. As a church plant looking for a permanent home, we need the monetary things. There are those in the church that are able to give great financially. But, that is not all that is needed. There are those that may not be able to give financially, but are giving through time and talents and that is just as important. It is not the things that are important, is the use of them for the glory of God.

And here I come back to the title of this post, “Gain Through Contentment”. It is in contentment that we are able to find the greater things. God provides what we NEED. Sometimes we need the things to do His work and in those times He will provide. I have to be content in the LORD and know that I will gain more there than anywhere.

What does contentment look like to you? Are you satisfied or do you desire more? What if you were to be content with what you have, knowing that gain comes from God providing what you need?

Life Through Righteous

Living a complete and fulfilling life seems just out of reach. It is thought that only the rich are the ones that get to experience it all. And I guess if you are living a life based on a monetary rewards system, then yes, it is true, money leads to fulfillment. But…

“³⁰The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

and whoever captures souls is wise.”

— Proverbs 11:30 (ESV)

Lori and I sat over the weekend and were able to simply enjoy ourselves as we looked at where we are. We were talking about our boys and where they are. We simply took the time and the chance to marvel at the fact that things are pretty great. We have raised our boys to be contributing members of society. We have our health as we are not restricted by medical conditions. We are content with what we have monetarily. We have wants for sure, yet all of our needs are met. All in all we have a great life. And it would not be possible without the LORD.

I look at the above verse and think of how all of what we have is thanks to the benefit of being a follower of Christ. We are members of a Christ following community and want to contribute to that community as a result. We do for others without expectation that we get anything in return and yet, inevitably, we are blessed for it. We give and in return receive greatly. And that is only due to the giving from the heart in the name of the LORD. We are get to live life to the fullest thanks to generosity of the LORD as He thanks us for the work we have, continue, and will do. We experience the tree of life providing continual fruit thanks to the work we are doing for the LORD.

“¹Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ²through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” – Revelation 22:1-2 (ESV)

What are you gaining through your works? Are you living and struggling on the idea that somehow you are not gaining monetarily through them? What if you were to look at the gains you have received through your righteous action for the LORD and know that they will be continual thanks to His love?

That Which is Given

This morning I am reading in Genesis on the blessings given to Abram by Melchizedek, and I have begun a study on the word “bread”. As I read, I see, in the passage that Abram was given the bread and wine by Melchizedek and he was given blessing by Melchizedek and he would only take that which was given by the king of Sodom.

“¹⁸And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) ¹⁹And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;…²³that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich.” ²⁴I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.’” – Genesis 14:18-19, 23-24 (ESV)

Abram did not “take” anything that was not given to him. Here we see that the bread and wine, blessings, and the food and men were given to Abram. Abram lived with the blessings that were bestowed on him from the LORD. All else was left to those to which the belonged.

This passage got me to thinking: God gives to me and that is where I gain all that I have. Mind you, I am not rich in the sense of monetary value. I am what is considered middle class and make do with that which I have, so to say that I am rich, is that I am rich in the glory that God has bestowed on me. I have been given all that I have by the LORD as He has made me rich.

There are a lot of things that I could be done to make me rich. I fight with what I could have at all times. So much would it be nice to just go and do at all times without concern for cost or financial ramifications. But as I sit here this morning, I have to remember that it is not about being rich, but being content and knowing that all that I have or will have are the result of the blessings from God. He provide the bread and wine and all of those things that I “need” to do His will here in this world. God GIVES me all that I need and for that I am to be grateful.

What do you have and where did it come from? Did you get all of it on your own? What if you recognized and accepted that God gave you what you need and frankly gives you everything?

Fear the LORD and be Fruitful

This morning I was led to a simple but impacting passage in Psalm. I was reminded that I am blessed with fear of the LORD.

“Fear: profound reverence and awe especially toward God” – Merriam-Webster Online

Fear in the case that I am speaking is as defined just above. It is the awe inspiring reverence toward God. In my fear of the LORD, I am fully devoted to Him and all that He is. In return for my reverence and devotion, the LORD blesses me and my house.

“¹Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,

who walks in his ways!

²You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

³Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house;

your children will be like olive shoots

around your table.

⁴Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

who fears the LORD.”

— Psalm 128:1-4 (ESV)

I have to look carefully at the words and meaning of them as I study. I want to ensure that I am on the right thought pattern. It is not said that everyone who fears the LORD will be rich or well off or without challenges. It says that they will be blessed. Being fruitful does not necessarily mean massive procreation or other worldly visuals of “success”. Being blessed and fruitful is being content in knowing that the LORD has provided and will continue to do so even when things seem grim.

Fear of the LORD brings blessing and fruitfulness. I have to remember to fear the LORD and that in doing so, I will be blessed and made fruitful.

What are you doing to gain blessings? Are you out there trying to earn it through your works? What if you just turned to God and demonstrated fear for Him and allowed him to provide and in turn you content with God’s provision and that provision turns to blessing and fruitfulness?

Be Content and Do Not Fall Into Temptation

Way easier said than done. Be content? Well that is the approach we should have, content with that which God has provided. Our needs are those things that are to be met, not our desires. Those desires are the thing of temptation.

“⁸But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. ⁹But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” — 1 Timothy 6:8-9 (ESV)

I see too many situations where it is the desire for more that that which is needed and provided where I fall. I have to understand that what I need is vastly different than that which I desire. I hear regularly from others that they “need” something and yet if they were not to receive it, there would be no change to their situation or future. One does not need a new car, bag, shoes, video game, house, watch, or other things. It is food, clothing, and a roof over head that are the needed items and the LORD is the provider of all of those.

Yes, some have been blessed with more than others, and for that I should be excited for them. Those with the big houses and fancy cars and expensive clothing have been provided for in their way from God. Do they “need” all of those things, that is not for me to decide. And, I am not in the inner circle of their lives and relationships and as such am in no position to determine if those are provided for them or if they are fulfilling some sort of desire and have fallen into the temptation of material things. I have to turn my attention to me and my relationship with the LORD and know that He has provided for my needs and that is enough.

Being tempted by the things of this world are a part of this world. I have to remember that I am dedicated to the LORD and all that He has provided and all that He has tasked for me. It is in contentment that I find truth in the LORD and then I am able to move on to those things that are more impacting to those around me and not just being self serving with the accumulation of material things that are of no use to me when I leave this world.

What things do you have that have been provided by God? Are you working to accumulate even more through the temptation of the worldly things? What if you were content with the provision of your needs that comes from the LORD as opposed to looking to the material things that the world tempts?