“Jehovah Jireh (my God provides)” – VS. – “You reap what you sow”

When God tells you to quit your second job to spend more time with your family … you listen! (Even if there is this tiny doubt in the back of your head about losing that income) We are by no means starving without the money, but it blows me away to see the big things God does for us in what we as humans consider little miracles.

One of the ministries God has put on my heart is feeding people.  I coupon and price match and get really great deals all the time.  We also do a garden and have chickens so we give a box of food away every couple of weeks to someone in need, and we are able to bless family members with our abundance.

I have been able to give away several boxes of food this month … and it just dawned on me that my family has eaten free ALL week! We had food in the fridge and didn’t “need” the free food, but God decided to bless us anyway.  On three different occasions this week I have gotten a call or had someone stop by my office to tell me they had food left over after a work event and to go “help myself”.  I was able to score gourmet sandwiches, salads, bbq, mac n’ cheese, and all kinds of other yummy stuff to take care of my family.  Now most people would think … “oh boxed lunches aren’t much of a blessing” – but it was actually just what we needed to be able to eat quickly on the days the kids had practice and also was an amazing treat to go eat outside on the nice weather days we had.  These “small” blessings enabled us to do exactly what God asked us to do … spend precious moments with our kids.  We were given back what we gave away and then some.  Blessings come in all shapes and sizes and this week mine came in the form of a turkey sandwich!

So when my husband texted me today to tell me they are reorganizing the company and we might need to be on alert … I didn’t worry.  We have followed the biblical principles of saving, not having debt, and tithing so we are in an ok spot if something happens.  Now believe me, I called all my prayer warriors just to cover things, but I didn’t go into a panic!

So in thinking about the title of this blog, we need to break it down a little.  I actually don’t think these two terms contradict each other in how we approach serving God and others, but somehow blend together in this beautiful mixture of relying on God to bless you so you can bless others.  We can’t worry about our next meal, but we can’t sit back and do nothing either!  For you it may be a double-edged sword or a peaceful balance, but either way it must be done.

Do Not Worry – Matthew 6:25-27

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

There are many who take this out of context and use it to be lazy because they think God will “magically” fulfil their desires. This text explains that God will fulfill your NEEDS … I don’t see any sparrows driving around in a Shelby GT Convertible lol.  If we are responsible with what God has given us, then He will come through if ever a time comes that we hit a rough patch.  And in the good times provide an abundance to help others.

Doing Good to All – Galatians 6:9 and 10

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

When we have laid down selfishness and elevate others needs before our wants then there is no limit to how many people we can serve.  A smile, a hug, a prayer, a meal … there are so many easy and even free things we can do to help others … imagine what we could do if we prepared our finances to help others as well.  We are on this earth to train for eternity.  I think I would rather skip that new car payment today and help others so I can walk on streets of gold and be wearing a crown of glory in heaven.

In the end I have learned that if you take care of God’s people … He will take care of you!  Yes God provides … but he also blesses those whom He finds worthy.  So keep loving and serving the Lord your God and loving your neighbor as yourself!  God loves a cheerful giver … but He also loves the grumpy ones too!  If we change our outlook to a heart of worship and service then our lives will change for the better… and we will be able to recognize the “little” blessings He provides.

Love

Melissa

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