Monday, May 20, 2019

Pastor's Ponderings, May 20, 2019

God Wants Us To Bless Others

Audra D. S. Burch and David Gelles wrote an article in the New York Times on May 19, 2019, entitled, “Morehouse Graduates’ Student Loans to Be Paid Off by Billionaire.” Mr. Robert F. Smith announced during Sunday’s graduation ceremony that he and his family were paying off the student loans for the entire 2019 graduating class of Morehouse College, a historically black college in Atlanta, Georgia. Needless to say, the news brought great joy to the graduates and their families.

It is wonderful to know that there are people who want to pay it forward by helping others.  We greatly applaud this billionaire’s efforts. The Bible speaks of another who gave so that others may benefit. Jesus Christ impoverished Himself so that those who believe on Him may become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). Furthermore, the Bible says that God gives riches, but does not add any painful toil with His gifts (Proverbs 10:22). He wants us to be in health and prosper even as our soul prospers (3 John 2).  God gets pleasure in the prosperity of His servants (Psalms 35:27).

According to the Bible, Mr. Smith has a great blessing on his way because of his generosity. The Bible advises us to give and it will be given back to us in abundance (Luke 6:38). We may not be billionaires, but we can follow his example and bless others as God directs us to give. He says that we have a great inheritance in Jesus (Ephesians 1:18) and those who love the Lord are His heirs.  As God guides us and gives to us, let us not forget to bless others.

2 Corinthians 8:9
New International Version (NIV)
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Proverbs 10:22
New International Version (NIV)
22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.

3 John 2
King James Version (KJV)
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Psalm 35:27
King James Version (KJV)
27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Luke 6:38
Amplified Bible (AMP)
38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”

Ephesians 1:18
New International Version (NIV)
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,





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