But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
Jerry was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted for graduation.
As graduation day approached the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him.
He then handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, and a little disappointed, Jerry opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with his name embossed in gold. Angry, he rose his voice to his father and said, "With all your money, you give me a Bible? You are a selfish man and I never want to see you again!" and then he stormed out of the house.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home, a wonderful wife and three children. However, one day as he was thinking of how quickly his own children had grown, he thought about his father and how very old he must be. He then thought that perhaps he should go to him. Jerry had not seen his father since the day he graduated.
Before Jerry could make any arrangements, he received a telegram telling him that his father had passed away, and had willed all his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When Jerry arrived at his father's home, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and then he saw the Bible, it was sitting on the desk just as he had left it so many years ago.
With tears, Jerry picked up the Bible and began to thumb through the pages. He turned to a page where a carefully, underlined verse stood out. It was Matthew 7:11 "And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?"
As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car that Jerry had desired. On the tag was engraved, the date of his graduation, and the words, "PAID IN FULL!"
When we talk about God's blessings, many of us think of a big house, a new car or a huge bank account. How many times we miss God's blessings because we are so worldly minded, we are Carnal Christians! In 1 Corinthians 3:3, Paul tells the people that he could not speak to them about spiritual things because they were carnal, like babies.
Romans 8:6 states, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." If there is strife, envy or divisions among us, then we are carnal and not growing in spiritual understanding as God would have us to do. It is when we begin to read God's Word and walk in it, that we can begin to grow in the things of God. We can learn to walk and live above our carnal nature, which will produce blessings that are not necessarily tangible.
Living our lives with peace and joy are just two of God's blessings that we can have here on earth, but they are not concrete. However, with all the turmoil that is in this world today, to have such peace and joy is to be greatly blessed!! When we allow God to be in complete control of our lives, we can begin to realize the many benefits God does bestow upon His children.
The greatest blessing of all is that Jesus came and died in our place and paid the price for our sin. Accordingly, all of us who have accepted Him will live for all eternity with Him in Heaven, when this life ends. That is a blessing that is far greater than any and all blessings we could ever ask for.
Jerry missed a large blessing from his father on graduation day. He also missed the many blessings he and his family might have experienced, had he kept a relationship with his father. The blessings of love between a grandparent and a grandchild, the blessings of seeing his father enjoy his children and the endless blessings of affections between all family members.
How many times have we missed God's blessings because we can't see past our own desires?
Jerry was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted for graduation.
As graduation day approached the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him.
He then handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, and a little disappointed, Jerry opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with his name embossed in gold. Angry, he rose his voice to his father and said, "With all your money, you give me a Bible? You are a selfish man and I never want to see you again!" and then he stormed out of the house.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home, a wonderful wife and three children. However, one day as he was thinking of how quickly his own children had grown, he thought about his father and how very old he must be. He then thought that perhaps he should go to him. Jerry had not seen his father since the day he graduated.
Before Jerry could make any arrangements, he received a telegram telling him that his father had passed away, and had willed all his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When Jerry arrived at his father's home, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and then he saw the Bible, it was sitting on the desk just as he had left it so many years ago.
With tears, Jerry picked up the Bible and began to thumb through the pages. He turned to a page where a carefully, underlined verse stood out. It was Matthew 7:11 "And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?"
As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car that Jerry had desired. On the tag was engraved, the date of his graduation, and the words, "PAID IN FULL!"
When we talk about God's blessings, many of us think of a big house, a new car or a huge bank account. How many times we miss God's blessings because we are so worldly minded, we are Carnal Christians! In 1 Corinthians 3:3, Paul tells the people that he could not speak to them about spiritual things because they were carnal, like babies.
Romans 8:6 states, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." If there is strife, envy or divisions among us, then we are carnal and not growing in spiritual understanding as God would have us to do. It is when we begin to read God's Word and walk in it, that we can begin to grow in the things of God. We can learn to walk and live above our carnal nature, which will produce blessings that are not necessarily tangible.
Living our lives with peace and joy are just two of God's blessings that we can have here on earth, but they are not concrete. However, with all the turmoil that is in this world today, to have such peace and joy is to be greatly blessed!! When we allow God to be in complete control of our lives, we can begin to realize the many benefits God does bestow upon His children.
The greatest blessing of all is that Jesus came and died in our place and paid the price for our sin. Accordingly, all of us who have accepted Him will live for all eternity with Him in Heaven, when this life ends. That is a blessing that is far greater than any and all blessings we could ever ask for.
Jerry missed a large blessing from his father on graduation day. He also missed the many blessings he and his family might have experienced, had he kept a relationship with his father. The blessings of love between a grandparent and a grandchild, the blessings of seeing his father enjoy his children and the endless blessings of affections between all family members.
How many times have we missed God's blessings because we can't see past our own desires?
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