Sharing the Blessings
Indeed, they are in debt to them, for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. (Romans 15:27)
Rom. 15:25-33; Rom. 11:1-16; I Cor. 13:4-7; Gal. 6:6; I John 3:16
What Is God Saying?
All of the New Testament letters, with their rich treasure of doctrinal facts and spiritual insight, combine their teaching about God and the Gospel with strong practical suggestions about how we are to live in our everyday lives. Romans has eleven chapters of doctrine, and at the beginning of chapter twelve, these words appear, "I appeal to you, therefore, by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice." Even though quiet meditation and deep soul-searching are paramount, our faith should be active. As Paul concludes this remarkable letter, he is on his way to bring practical help. He who brought them the Heavenly Good News was on a mission of down-to-earth helpfulness. Having shared in spiritual blessings, the Christian church should be of service to those in need.
How Does This Apply To Us?
How genuine is our thankfulness to God for the spiritual riches we have received through His inexhaustible grace? Does our assurance of peace with God tend to shield us from reaching out to victims of injustice? Are we so Heavenly-minded that we are of little earthly use? Having received all things in Christ, let us share all things for Christ.
Pray With Me
Father, You have blessed me with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. You have also freely given me everything else. Let my love and gratitude be so real that I will not even consider separating my richness in spiritual good from my obligations in material sharing. To hoard Your blessings is an indication of fear. To be miserly or even careful in the sharing of Your blessings is to live as though God does not live.
Lord, give me an ever-deepening trust in the steadfastness of Your love. Your grace is inexhaustible. Living on the banks of a never-failing stream, who needs to hoard water? Assured that I am an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ, I have no right or need to keep Your grace to myself. I would not fail to see the relationship between spiritual enrichment and material generosity. How wrong to say we are children of God while holding back material blessings from His other children. Having shared in spiritual blessings, let me serve with material blessings. Having received all things in Christ, let me share all things for Christ. Then, and only then, will I deserve the names I wear so lightly and claim so easily: disciple, steward, child of God, a joint heir with Christ.
Through Him who has made the riches of God's grace known and real to me. Amen.
Moving On In The Life Of Prayer
Prayer should unfold our praying hands and make them working hands. Think of how much we are blessed. Prayer should make the transition easy and inevitable from how much we are blessed to how much we can be a blessing. Listen to God, and then, through prayer, be used by God.
