Apicontent

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV84)

God’s love is immeasurable! And God is able to make “all grace,” meaning all spiritual and earthly blessings, abound to the cheerful giver (subject, of course, to his sovereign will). This passage promises that God will move in the life of the cheerful giver.

Giving is an investment in the kingdom of God for which there are both earthly and heavenly rewards. God allows us to trade in a decreasing, temporary currency for an immeasurable, eternal investment. That investment will last forever.

God responds to us as we cheerfully give and provides for all of our needs so we can abound in every good work. He will supply the seed. He will multiply the seed. He will increase the harvest of our righteousness and enrich us in every way so that we can be generous on all occasions.

Cheerful giving is “grace giving.” It is giving with an “I want to give” attitude. It is evidence of our faith and obedience to the gospel. And it results in prayers of gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving to God by those who are on the receiving end of our giving.

In addition to the promise of eternal reward, we also experience God’s blessing and favor on our lives in this world. Giving is the wise thing to do!

Heart Deposit

What are some of the blessings you, and others, have experienced because of your giving? How have you seen God bless your giving? What practical steps can you take to increase your giving?

KingdomNomics is based
on God’s grace.

 Related Verses

“He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”  (Proverbs 11:25)

“He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.” (Psalm 78:39)

All of us have a “loaf” of time. This presents us with a threefold problem. First, none of us knows how long our loaf of time will last. Second, we know that with each day, one slice of our loaf is used up, never to be available again. And third, in light of eternity, we have a decision to make as to how best use our loaf of time.

In our verse for today, the psalmist describes our life as a passing breeze that does not return. It describes something that is extremely brief. If we are wise, we will use this brief time to focus on the eternal. Not so for most people, for they are focusing their attention only on what they can see and do in this world, without giving any thought as to what will happen in eternity.

The wise believer must keep biblical principles in mind. We are going to die. We will be required to give an account of our lives before the Lord at the judgment seat of Christ. We will experience gain or suffer loss of reward depending on how much we have allowed the spirit to live, or flow, through our mortal lives. We will give an account of whether our acts were done through the Spirit of God or the energy of the flesh.

The brevity of life points us to the Word of God. We will find our hearts drawn to it as we acquaint ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and allow him to dwell richly in our hearts. Is that happening to you?

Heart Deposit

Are you living a life of consumption, thinking only of yourself, or are you participating in Christ’s Great Commission for the world? Are you setting your mind and heart on things above or on the things of this world? In what ways are you making the most of today’s kingdom opportunities?

KingdomNomics recognizes
that time for kingdom impact
in this life is short.

Related Verses

“You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.” (Psalm 39:5)

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)

“From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today.” (Isaiah 48:6-7)

Most of the world does not understand the kingdom that has been disclosed to us by the Spirit of God. This kingdom can only be understood as God reveals himself to us. And so many Christians, even though they have some knowledge of God, are still ineffective and unfruitful in their knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Since the time is short, it is imperative that those who are consumed by the Word of God focus their will on being empowered by the Holy Spirit to advance the kingdom of God. God has shown this to us for a purpose. We are to be engaged, allowing God to work, advance, and move his interests forward through us. We are exhorted to excel in grace living and grace giving. We must continually monitor what is consuming our time, talent, and treasure. God is going to hold us accountable for the revelation that he has given to us.Most of the world does not understand the kingdom that has been disclosed to us by the Spirit of God. This kingdom can only be understood as God reveals himself to us. And so many Christians, even though they have some knowledge of God, are still ineffective and unfruitful in their knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Because our story has yet to be completed, it may be that God still has hidden things to reveal to us for the purpose of engaging us in further kingdom activity. We serve a God who is awesome in power and who is able to do more than we can ask, think, or imagine, according to his immeasurable power that is at work in us. As we accomplish the tasks he has given us, we qualify ourselves for use by the master, for additional works that he has prepared for us to do.

Heart Deposit

As you spend time in God’s Word, what is he revealing to you? What difference is this making in your life? In the lives of others?

KingdomNomics utilizes
what is temporal
and leverages it for eternity.

Related Verses

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” (Psalm 145:13)

“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’” (Revelation 5:9–10)

Wow! Redeemed to God by the blood of Christ, he has made us priests to serve him; we will reign on earth for him! Truly, as Job said, we have only seen the edges of God’s ways. How awesome he is—beyond words of human description. What a privilege that he allows us to worship him and to act on his behalf!

It is God who justifies us, not our works, not our behavior, not our giving, nor anything else. Jesus by himself purged our sins. Jesus washed away our sins with his blood. By his blood we are brought near to God. By his blood we are justified. By his blood, he purchased our eternal redemption. His blood is the only acceptable payment to God for our sin. By his blood, our souls have been atoned. Truly, we are a special people!

Our response should be for our desire to do good works in the power of the Holy Spirit, particularly works that facilitate the expansion of his kingdom in this world. We are in a race against time. We are God’s chosen instrument for reaching our own generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are destined to reign on earth with him! Now is the time to get to work. Give of your time, talent, and treasure and give some more!

Heart Deposit

In what ways are you being used by God to bring the message of eternal life to a lost and dying world?

KingdomNomics responds
to Jesus Christ’s saving work.

Related Verses

“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’” (John 3:3)

“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6)

“His disciples remembered that it is written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’” (John 2:17)

All of our time, talent, and treasure are temporary as far as this world is concerned; however, what we do with them while we are here will have eternal ramifications. Do we care? The word “zeal” used by John indicates enthusiasm and passion. How much passion do you have for the things of God?

Jesus Christ was consumed with doing his Father’s will while he was in this world. He knew his time on earth was short. He ensured that all the work that had been given to him was finished by the time he returned to heaven.All of our time, talent, and treasure are temporary as far as this world is concerned; however, what we do with them while we are here will have eternal ramifications. Do we care? The word “zeal” used by John indicates enthusiasm and passion. How much passion do you have for the things of God?

So, again, what are you doing with your time, talent, and treasure? Are you wasting them on the temporal, disregarding the eternal reality we all face, or are you fixing your eyes on the eternal aspect of life? Are you concentrating on the things God wants you to do? We have the option of laboring for those things that are perishing, or we can labor for those things that reap eternal benefits, both us and for others.

So many things I was zealous for in the past, that I thought were so important, have evaporated. They are no longer a part of my life. My thoughts now lie with: What will last forever? Am I building on the foundation of Jesus Christ, or am I striving to construct something on the foundation of self?

It is never too late to change course! There is always a new opportunity to become zealous for the things that are important to God.

Heart Deposit

If someone were to look at your life, what word or phrase would fill in this blank “Zeal for______ consumed him/her.” Is the word or phrase in the blank temporal or eternal? How can you increase your zeal for the things of God?

KingdomNomics guides our choices as we fully understand the eternal implications.

Related Verses

“Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:25)

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”
(Habakkuk 2:2, NKJV)

God’s revelation of himself and his plan of redemption for humankind have been clearly written in the Bible. We have reflected on:

• the brevity of life,
• the temporary nature of this world versus the eternal world we are heading for,
• our purpose for being here,
• the opportunity for us to partake of the divine nature,
• soaking our hearts in the Word of God,
• sowing to the Spirit,
• flowing with the Spirit, and
• the opportunity to build treasure in heaven

Understanding God’s revelation of himself makes this truth clear: Our time, talent, and treasure are to be used for God’s kingdom. We must decide whether we are going to take advantage of what God has revealed to us. Just as God gives us a choice in deciding where we will spend eternity, he also gives us the choice of being consumed by selfish, temporary desires, or by living for his kingdom purposes. If we choose the latter, there is the promise of great reward in the life to come. This reward is just on of the tremendous incentives for us to find the purpose God has for our lives and the particular works he wants us to do.

We do not have forever to make these decisions. Time is passing quickly. What are you doing with the time God has given you?

Heart Deposit

Have you captured God’s vision for you? In what ways are you pursuing his vision? What opportunities is the Holy Spirit putting before you to make your time, talent, and treasure echo into eternity? How are you responding to those opportunities?

KingdomNomics is capturing God’s vision
and running with it.

Related Verses

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45)

“His master replied,’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your mater’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:21)

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19)

True faith involves both knowledge and conviction know about God’s saving grace and then we act on that knowledge. Conviction moves us to act. Doing good, being generous, and being willing to share are the fruits of true faith. They are an outgrowth of the seed of faith, just as an ear of corn is the outgrowth of a kernel of corn planted in the soil. Our conviction moves us to do the good works that God has planned ahead for us to do as we walk on the path of faith.

As God transforms us by the renewing of our minds, we will find ourselves transformed from being “getters” to becoming givers. As we become givers we will be progressively more concerned with fulfilling kingdom objectives. Giving results in our laying up treasure in heaven. When we fully understand the reality of this principle, we truly begin to accomplish great things for God’s kingdom! Our giving will echo into eternity.

The promise of reward is a motivating factor as we consider the eternal impact of what we do in this world. The decisions we make here on earth will echo into eternity. In our passage for today we are promised, “so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” When we give, we also experience life!

Heart Deposit

In what ways are you able to use your time, talent, and treasure to echo into eternity? Is this a new concept for you? Think about some ways you can deposit to your bank account in heaven.

KingdomNomics echoes into eternity.

Related Verses

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)