October 17, 2018: SOAP #3240:  Job 1-2; Acts 6-7

Scripture:  Job (NIV) 1:10 [satan to God] “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” 12 The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

Observation:  Not the main issue, but a major issue in the book of Job is possessions.  Here are some thoughts from the book of Job:
1.  Abundance of possessions MAY be an indication of God’s blessings.
2.  Loss of possessions MAY not be an indication of God’s displeasure.
3.  If the possessions belong to God, satan must get permission from God before he can mess with them.
4.  Increase or decrease of possessions can be affected by spiritual activity beyond our control.
5.  My response to possessions (gaining or loosing) can be a blessing to God.
6.  However great the loss, God can restore even more.

Satan was put to shame by little old Job!   The beautiful created being that dwelt in the presence of God had allowed pride to enter his heart and he decided to set himself above God.  He is defeated by a mere man who had never seen God yet was so committed to God that nothing satan could do would turn Job against God!!!  Don’t you know that God was proud of Job!!!

Application:  Today God uses my possessions to prove my commitment to Him.  That is what tithing is all about.  That is why God invites us to prove Him in the matter of tithing.  We prove Him, and He proves us!  (Malachi 3)

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I desire that all my possessions to be inside your hedge.  If Satan is going to mess with them, I want that he must get your permission.  I desire that you be glorified in the possessions you have given me.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!