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2 Corinthians 8:15
...as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
Our passage today is in reference to Exodus 16 in which the Israelites were to gather only enough manna to last one day. If they gathered too much, and attempted to stockpile the excess in case of an emergency, it would just rot. The next morning, they found any surplus they held to have a foul smell and be full of maggots.
In the same way, the longer we walk with the Lord, the more we find the things we once tried to hold on to (including the ones we thought were the most important) no longer satisfy us. And they don't just impress us less -- they actually stink!
Some people take this lesson to an extreme. They think it's ungodly, and therefore sinful, if a person has become wealthy. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Abraham, for example, was a very wealthy man by earthly standards. But he was also willing to sacrifice the only thing that meant anything to him, his son Isaac, if God required it of him.
God doesn't require us to have nothing in order to love Him. He just wants to be the main focus of our passion. And if God is our primary love, then He can trust us with just about anything. So it's not wrong for us to have earthly possessions or even great wealth, but it is wrong if we let those things own or control our thoughts and passions.
The Bible teaches: only giving that comes as a result of Christian love will provide a true and lasting benefit. In our passage today, Paul continues to make the point: in God's economy, the prosperity of some will compensate for the need of others. What needs has God called to your attention? Are you doing your part? Would social change be as great of a topic of concern if everyone gave in accordance with Paul's teaching?
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There's nothing like God's Word to create purpose in your life that lasts the entire day and beyond. We encourage you to Read, Carry and Share the Word of God. Pocket Devotions are sent by E-mail every weekday (Monday to Friday). On weekends we encourage you to be creative and study on your own in any area of Scripture where God leads you.
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Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.