God is Generous
Psalm 145:16 - "You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing" (NIV).
Matthew 7:7-8 - "“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" (NIV).
John 3:16 - "“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (NIV).
Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (NIV).
Ephesians 1:3 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ" (NIV).
James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (NIV).
James 1:17-18 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created" (NIV).
Your Father is generous. He does not give you just enough to keep you alive. But rather, He is abundant in His provision. He owns everything (Psa. 24:1) and has abundant riches at His disposal (Phil. 4:19). God is, in fact, continually pouring out His gifts to us (James 1:17). He provides for us physically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually (Eph. 1:3-8). It is possible, however, that we miss His "good and perfect" gifts, even though they are always around us. In James 1:17-18, we see the Father of heavenly lights who doesn't change in His stance of generosity towards us. In order for us to see the light, it must be reflected off a surface. When we reflect the light (good gifts) back to our Father in worship, we are then surrounded by the colour and joy of His presence. When we absorb all of His light (good gifts) and choose not to reflect back thanksgiving, all we are left with is darkness. So, you see that although God is generous, our response of thanksgiving is necessary to actually experience His generosity.
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (NIV).
Matthew 7:7-8 - "“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" (NIV).
John 3:16 - "“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (NIV).
Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (NIV).
Ephesians 1:3 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ" (NIV).
James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (NIV).
James 1:17-18 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created" (NIV).
Your Father is generous. He does not give you just enough to keep you alive. But rather, He is abundant in His provision. He owns everything (Psa. 24:1) and has abundant riches at His disposal (Phil. 4:19). God is, in fact, continually pouring out His gifts to us (James 1:17). He provides for us physically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually (Eph. 1:3-8). It is possible, however, that we miss His "good and perfect" gifts, even though they are always around us. In James 1:17-18, we see the Father of heavenly lights who doesn't change in His stance of generosity towards us. In order for us to see the light, it must be reflected off a surface. When we reflect the light (good gifts) back to our Father in worship, we are then surrounded by the colour and joy of His presence. When we absorb all of His light (good gifts) and choose not to reflect back thanksgiving, all we are left with is darkness. So, you see that although God is generous, our response of thanksgiving is necessary to actually experience His generosity.
For More Study
- Deuteronomy 8
- Matthew 7:7-12; 20:1-16
- Ephesians 1:3-14; 3:14-21
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Can you remember a time when your resources were very limited, and God provided for you?
- Read through Psalm 103 and make it personal. Remember all the good things God has done for you. Worship Him as you read out the psalm.
- Do you often let complaint dominate your mind? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your heart. Repent as the Holy Spirit leads you. Remember the terrible outcome of the Israelites who let complaint dominate their attitudes and actions.
Memorization
Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (NIV).
