We Receive to Give

After celebrating Thanksgiving Day, it is a good idea to remember that genuine thankfulness goes beyond simple gratitude. If we are truly thankful, we will take another step. We will move from receiving to giving.

Using an agricultural metaphor, Paul wrote to the Corinthians that if farmers are unwilling to be generous when planting seed, they will not receive an abundant harvest. He who sows (or plants) sparingly will also reap (or receive) sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (II Cor. 9:6 NKJV)

Paul’s subject was not planting and harvesting crops but giving. He goes on to explain that when people give, God provides abundant grace. The more we receive, the more we have to give—and the more we give, the more we receive.

Giving and receiving do not always seem to directly correspond, but giving and blessings do. And God actually gives to His people so they can, in turn, receive His blessing by giving to others.

Originally published November 23, 1989.

The Humble Shall Hear

Thanksgiving originated as a harvest festival—as a day when the early Pilgrims offered thanks to God for the year’s crop. Their very lives depended on full storehouses, so we can imagine their gratitude was heart-felt. They knew they were vulnerable—and that they could not provide for their needs without God’s help.

In United States today, we can be thankful for a multitude of blessings on Thanksgiving Day. Because it is a national holiday, we might focus on historic aspects of the celebration. The vital connection of the Pilgrims to God reminds us that, after a certain amount of struggle, the early leaders made a decision to offer freedom of religious expression for both the minorities and the majority.

But do we remember that true thankfulness contains an element of humility? Thankfulness means we are grateful to someone for providing what we did not provide on our own. It looks to the One who helps us when we cannot help ourselves. David was king and a poet whose wrote many songs of thanksgiving. He wrote in one of his songs, I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord, the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. (Ps. 34:1-2 KJV)

This Thanksgiving, remember to thank God for His blessings. We need them.

Originally published November 22, 1985.

The Lord Appeared to Solomon

Solomon was a newly anointed King who recognized his inexperience and his shortcomings. At the same time, Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statues of his father David, except that he burned incense at the high places. (I Kings 3:3 NKJV)

This is one of those amazing verses. God’s law specifically told the Israelites they should not worship at the high places. The high places were remnants of pagan worship that had not been totally removed from the land. And yet, the next verses tell us, Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was great high place . . . At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon. . . . (vs. 4a,5a)

Why would God appear to Solomon at a high place? Why would God be pleased with the young king's request at the high place? Why would God give the young king not only wisdom to overcome inexperience and shortcomings—but material blessings as well? How could that be?

Perhaps it had something to do with the history of Gibeon. At one time the Ark of the Covenant had rested there. Perhaps people worshipped at Gibeon because it was a historic place. Although not the place of God's Presence, it served as a reminder of God's Presence.

But there is another reason. God is more concerned with attitude than form. Solomon loved God and God meets people who have sincere hearts—even if some things are out-of-order. Love for God overrules technical problems.

It is good to get the form right. We could suggest that if Solomon had known better when he was young, he might not have succumbed to the many problems that plagued him later. But God is sovereign. And He responds to humble hearts.

Originally published August 28, 1992.

Prophetic Prayer

On the crucial day when Hannah returned to Shiloh to leave her son Samuel with Eli the priest, she could have focused on her loss. Instead, she prayed. I smile at my enemies, she said, because I rejoice in Your salvation. (I Sam. 2:1 NKJV)

God did something special for Hannah that day. He gave her a vision and she prayed prophetically. She looked beyond the painful task at hand and looked into the future. In that moment, because she had released her son, she understood God’s plan for Israel and all humanity. She prophetically proclaimed the Second Coming of the Son of God. For by strength no man shall prevail, she declared. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces . . .The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to His king, and exalt the horn of His anointed. (v. 10)

We could gloss over Hannah’s trauma, decide it would be easy for her to leave her little Samuel with Eli because he was in God’s care. The Bible gives us a glimpse of reality. As the family continued their yearly pilgrimages to Shiloh, Hannah continued to provide for him. She took robes that she had painstakingly made for her son so he would have something to wear during the coming year.

Can you imagine those yearly meetings?

We don’t know if Hannah asked for more children, but God gave her three additional sons and two daughters. No longer barren, she walked in His blessings. God honored the woman of faith who rejoiced in Him.

Originally published June 4, 1993.
Picture: Como Park, St. Paul, MN, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Sacrifices

Children learn to make amends when they’ve done something wrong—a necessary social skill because they (and we) will never escape sinful human nature. Perhaps this is why we tend to view God as a stern judge—and think we have to appease Him with sacrifices.

The Israelites literally sacrificed animals to pay the penalty for their sin. We don’t offer cattle or goats today, but we often think we must give up material possessions—or give up having a good time.

Even in the Old Testament, Scripture taught that God does not appreciate sacrifices that come from a desire to appease—a desire to earn favor. Sacrifices should come out of gratitude from a heart that has received and appreciated God’s favor.

A psalmist spoke for God when he wrote, I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens . . . He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God. (Ps. 50:9,23 NIV)

God’s blessings—i.e., favor—do not come because we sacrifice but because He loves us and gives Himself to us.

Originally published June 15, 1984.

Birds of Prey

God spoke to Abram in a vision: I am your shield, your very great reward. (Gen. 15:1 NIV) That sounds wonderful, but Abram was less than thrilled. He might have appreciated God as his shield, but in his world, children were a primary blessing. He and Sarah had none. He wanted a child and he said, O Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless. . . . (v. 2)

God answered by again promising Abram that he would receive a son. He promised land, too. And Abram was so free in God’s presence that he asked how he could believe God was really speaking to him. God replied by instructing him to prepare a specific sacrifice.

Abraham followed the instructions, but then something strange happened: birds of prey came down on the carcasses. . . . (v. 11) In this tender moment of communion with God—of knowing God’s divine love and attention—Abraham was forced to deal with wild animals that threatened to destroy his offering. He drove them away. (v. 11)

Was it a test? A challenge? Later than night, God spoke to him in a dream—revealing the future of his descendants. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram. (v. 18)

We don't know why God deals with people the way He does. Abraham's experience with birds of prey might not have seemed as strange to him as it does it us. Abraham somehow knew God was with him.

We, also, somehow know God is sovereign and that He is with us. And like Abraham, we might experience strange events when God comes to us with His promises. Then, like Abraham, we're called to trust Him. And like Abraham, we stand against whatever threatens to destroy our relationship with this God who speaks and offers promieses.

Originally published March 9, 1984.

Picture: Oriental poppy, Patty's garden, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Blessed to Bless Others

God said to Abram, I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. (Gen. 12:2 NKJV) Notice that God blessed Abram—later Abraham—so he could bless others. Blessings from God have value beyond the individual who receives them.

Lest there be any doubt, Abraham was blessed indeed. We learn in chapter 13:2 that he was rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. At one point he deployed a personal army of 318 of his own servants. (Gen. 14) He’s the recognized patriarch of several ethnic groups.

And in the spiritual realm, Christians from all ethnic groups claim Abraham as a forerunner and patriarch because he fathered the lineage of Jesus Christ—and he offers Christians and all people with an example of obedience and faith.

So as Christians called to live by faith, we’re also called to recognize that we receive blessings so we can bless others. Peter made this clear when he said, not returning evil for evil . . . but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. (I Pet. 3:9)

Truly, we are blessed—so we can bless others.

Originally published May 29, 1987.

Picture: Pink peonies in full bloom viewed from the street, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.