Sermon Central
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Okay, You Have It - Now What To Do With It
Contributed by Howard Gunter on Jun 27, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: Giving and sharing isn't meant to be limited to finances or material wealth.
Mid-week Message/Devotion
June 27, 2018
Okay, You Have It – Now What to Do with It
You may be thinking; “Here we go again, another message about money and giving!” This reading certainly does address the giving of and from our resources. However, I want to talk about an aspect of giving from what we have and what we acquire along the way. I want to talk about the knowledge that we acquire and more so about our learning of biblical events and gospel truths.
Along the way, most of us have encountered folks who are very knowledgeable about the bible and the gospel within. We may even be drawn to them seeking to learn more and deeper. Often, we find more strutting and self- aggrandizing than teaching. It is great and a wonderful thing to know and understand the bible. Where and how do we share that understanding?
“If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud” 1 Corinthians 13:2-4
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Romans 12:15-16
“And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16
“and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” Philemon 1:6
“For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” 1 Corinthians 9:16
Men and women of God do not become pastors, preachers, Sunday School teachers, etc. for a title or for personal recognition. The blessings of sharing knowledge and leading others and watching them grow is sufficient of itself. Glory and rewards await in the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is so important to recognize that pastors and teachers serve God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that service is not restricted or confined to a church building nor to a single church body. Our service is meant to be to the whole of God’s creation, even to those who hate us those and we consider our enemy.
If we surround ourselves with admirers and those who make us feel proud and important and ignore or give token attention to those who may make us feel uncomfortable or whom we feel are not worthy, we are falling very short of our calling.
Oh yes, sharing from our financial resources, our materials and our labors is a major part of what Paul is telling the Church at Corinth. However, he also says: “so that there also may be a completion out of what you have,” (verse 11b)
If it is knowledge and understanding that you have, what do you do with it? The completion is in the sharing, teaching and testifying – all knowledge. Proverbs 15:7
“The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.” Proverbs 15:7
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;” Colossians 1:9
Having read through these Bible Verses, we can really grasp the importance of knowledge. We can also see why we are ALL called to share our knowledge of Jesus Christ and His Gospel Truth.
Let us pray-
