Blessings

Someone I knew once made the statement, to me, that they did not understand why I didn't have more than I had, or wasn't blessed the way they thought I should be considering how much I help others. You see, they were looking at my material belongings and my standing in society to determine if I was blessed the way they thought people should be blessed who follow Jesus' command to help others.

And the philosophy behind the "prosperity gospel" movement is pretty much the same. Those who believe in that type of Christianity look at my socio-economic standing and think that I must not be obeying God's commandment because I don't have material wealth. They fail to see the underlying truth of my living, however. God provides all my need. Miracles happen whenever I'm truly in need. Though I may not know where it's going to come from, the need is always met, in time. On time. Always.

But, blessings don't measure up to earthly possessions, only. And I'll never have a bank account with 5 or 6 figures. I'll never own a portfolio. Those are signs of storing treasures on earth. I have no need for such. Everything God gives me, I use what I need and the rest I pass along to those who are less fortunate. Yes, there are plenty less fortunate than I. All my need is met. Every day. So, if I have excess funding, I give to to those who don't have everything they need. See, God blesses me, and I turn around and answer their prayer for their need with what God has given me. It's another example of God answering their prayer. No, God didn't give it to them 'miraculously.' But, He did provide their need. By blessing me, I bless them and that Blesses Him.

That person who made that statement to me believes only those who have large bank accounts, paid for homes and fancy, brand new cars are truly being blessed by God. I don't need a brand new car. Would it be nice to have one? Sure, but I don't NEED one. I have what I need. My vehicle gets me where I need to go. It's 15 years old but it still gets me there in comfort and without worry. No, I don't get to go on fancy vacations or visit far off locations, but I don't need those things. I get to visit my family when I need to. I even get to visit friends in other locations when I need to. But, it's about my need, not about my want. And God only promised to provide my daily need. And He does. Each and every day.

I truly do have more than I need. I have possessions that there is no common sense way to explain how I have them. But, by being obedient to God's Word, giving to those who are in need when I have the ability to do so, God turns around and grants me things that make my life a little more comfortable. It's not a check in the mail, it's an entertainment center that someone was going to throw away. Or it's finding a slightly damaged light fixture at the county dump that I can repair and put in my home. Those are just as big a blessing to me as a check in the mail. Maybe even more so. For me, cash is only good, and valuable, for what it can do for others. Cash under the mattress or a 6 figure checking account isn't helping anyone. To me, that makes it worthless. It's not doing anyone any good laying under the mattress or showing up as numbers on a spreadsheet.

Yes, God has truly blessed me far and above what I could have ever hoped or imagined. More importantly, He meets my daily need. Without fail. Without fanfare. But, He always gets the Glory!