April 28, 2018: SOAP #3068: 2Samuel 3; 1Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 15:30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

Observation:   Jesus did not say to his disciples, “Do not send them away until you take the offering.”  Jesus was more interested in the people’s condition than in the condition of the ministry’s finances.  He was more interested in what He could give them than in what He could get from them.   “Do not send them away physically hungry.”   Jesus had compassion on them/the people, not on the ministry finances.   “They may collapse on their way home,” not, “This is a good opportunity to get some money to further our ministry.”

Application:   Jesus spoke a lot about money, but he never made an issue of people sending Him money.  He never made people feel guilty about giving to motivate them to give more, so that He could do more.  He taught about giving, not for His benefit, but for their benefit.  Jesus was doing the will of His Heavenly Father; His Father provided the necessary resources.  If I am doing the Father’s will, He will provide my resources too!   …and He does!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, you have taught me to be faithful with the resources you have placed in my hands.  I know I can count on your faithfulness!  As the song says, “Great is Thy Faithfulness!” (Thomas Chisholm) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!