Enough for Every Good Cause

 

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2 Corinthians 9:8 Good News Translation

⁸ And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.

 

For many years we lived like the poor. During our graduate study years, we had to borrow against future service just to pay the rent and eat. A bit later we went on food stamps for a while. In Africa, we were often living hand to mouth. For five years we couldn’t afford a car. At Atlantic Union College I took on a moonlighting job to enable us to buy a house—the cheapest we found on the market. During this time, we paid a full tithe, and never went hungry or naked or homeless.

Since then, God has increased our allowance steadily. When our last child finished college, we were able to channel that tuition amount into a retirement savings account. When we paid off our house, we were able to channel the house payment into the retirement account. In this fashion, although we had been unable to save for retirement initially, when we retired, we had a nest egg that has seen us through the first ten years of retirement without embarrassment.

Since retirement we have stepped out in faith at the Spirit’s urging and supported Bible translation in an ever-increasing amount. We have not shirked our tithing responsibility. Last year our charitable donations totaled over 50% of our adjusted gross income. Never before, even in our wildest imaginings, did we ever think God would make us capable of achieving this goal.

This year we have expected that Satan would redouble his efforts to stop our giving. In January we totaled our car and bought a newer one; inflation is making our retirement savings stretch over fewer of our needs. In spite of this we are relying on God’s promises, like this one in 2 Corinthians 9:8, and God’s amazing grace to meet our needs.

We are grateful, Lord, for Your promise to give us “enough for every good cause.”

 

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[1] https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/may/together-for-gospels-bible-translation-unity-illuminations.html

Be Still And Know

 

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Psalm 46:10 King James Version

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God

 

Often while I am sitting at my desk writing, our doggie, Katie, will come in and lie down at my feet. She will stay there as long as I don’t leave. She loves to accompany me when I go somewhere, and I think she finds that if she is with me, I’ll often take her along. If she is not with me, she may miss out on being with me when I do something else.

At least once a day we like to take a walk. If it’s daylight, then we walk in the hills surrounding our home. Once she is in the hills, I can let her off the leash, and she can run all over and explore her surroundings. If she detects a scent in a hole, she will dig in it vigorously, hoping to dislodge the occupant. She fancies herself a great hunter.

Often, we will dog sit our son’s dog, Oso.  When I’m sitting at my desk, Katie will assume her post at my feet. Oso will continuously pace the floor. When the time stretches as I write, Oso will eventually lie down. There is one big difference, however: Katie relaxes on her side; Oso lies down with all four paws under him ready to move at his slightest whim. He is constantly restless.

Katie has lived with us about 4 years and trusts us implicitly. She knows that we love her and will do the best we can for her. Oso doesn’t fully trust us; he questions our love for him. That seems natural—after all, Katie is at home, and Oso isn’t. However, the dogs behave the same way when they are both with my son. Oso is still the restless one. There appears to be a basic difference in the nature of the two.

You have noticed, of course, that there are some people who spend their time worrying while others seemed to be relaxed about their future. I think God is trying to tell us that we can trust Him with our future. After all, He is God. He promises us that He will do the best for us. He is God!

Thank You, Lord, that You are God. You always do the best for us. Help me to rest confidently in Your care.

 

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[1] https://post.bark.co/health/why-does-my-dog-lie-on-my-feet/