October 26

Morning

You expected much, but behold, it amounted to little. And what you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house. — Hag 1:9 BSB

Miserly souls hold back their contributions to ministry and missionary efforts, claiming that they are merely practicing “good economy.” Little do they realize that in doing so, they are actually impoverishing themselves. Their excuse is that they must care for their own families, yet they forget that neglecting the house of God is the surest way to bring ruin upon their own homes!

Our God has a way in His providence of either blessing our efforts beyond expectation or frustrating our plans to our dismay. With just a turn of His hand, He can guide our ship into prosperous waters, or cause it to run aground in poverty and failure.

Scripture teaches that God enriches the generous, while the stingy will find that withholding leads to poverty. In my wide observation, I’ve noticed that the most generous Christians are the happiest and often the most prosperous. I’ve seen generous givers rise to a wealth they never anticipated, and I’ve seen stingy, ungenerous people fall into poverty through the very means they thought would make them rich.

Men trust good stewards with more responsibility, and so it often is with the Lord. He gives in abundance to those who give generously. Where wealth is not bestowed, God makes the little seem much through the contentment that comes from a sanctified heart. Selfishness looks first to itself, but godliness seeks first the kingdom of God, knowing that in the end, godliness is great gain. Acting in faith toward God with an open hand may seem risky, but surely He deserves such trust from us. All that we can do is a poor acknowledgment of how much we owe to His goodness!

Evening

All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full; to the place from which the streams come, there again they flow. — Eccl 1:7 BSB

Everything earthly is in motion. Time knows no rest. The solid earth is constantly rotating, and even the sun is a star obeying its course around a greater light. Tides shift the sea, winds stir the air, and friction wears away rock—change and death rule everywhere!

The ocean isn’t a miser’s storehouse, hoarding its waters. By one force the waters flow into it, and by another, they are lifted from it and return to the land as rain. Men are born only to die, and everything feels like a race—hurry, worry, and weariness! “Everything under the sun is meaningless, a chasing after the wind!” (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

But friend of the unchanging Jesus, what a joy it is to think of your changeless inheritance! Your sea of joy will forever be full because God Himself will pour eternal rivers of pleasure into it. We look forward to an abiding city beyond the skies, and we will not be disappointed.

This passage should stir up gratitude in us. The ocean receives much, but it also generously gives back through rain. Likewise, we are meant to give back. To give to others is like sowing seeds for our future. The good steward, who willingly uses his resources for the Lord, will be entrusted with more.

Friend of Jesus, are you giving back according to the blessings you’ve received? Much has been given to you—where is the fruit? Have you done all you can? Can you do more? To be selfish is to be wicked. Imagine if the ocean kept all its water—ruin would follow! God forbid that we live only for ourselves. Jesus did not please Himself. All fullness dwells in Him, but He gives freely. O, that we may have the spirit of Jesus and live not unto ourselves!