"The Benefactor"
Imagine that a wealthy gentleman contacts you one day. "I want to place my immense wealth at your disposal for the benefit of others," he says. "I've heard that you're a responsible, caring person, and I sure you'd like to help people in need. If you're interested, I'd like you to inform me when you encounter someone we can help. I'll analyze your request and if I think it appropriate, I'll dispense funds to the person in need according to my judgment and timing."
Certainly it would be hard to turn down such an offer. Why would we, in fact? You likely see where this is going. A Benefactor has offered to born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ such opportunity to bless others will His largesse. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ possesses "unsearchable riches." He calls His trusting children to offer prayers "for all men" and for one another (Ephesians 3:8; I Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 6:18). As we see need, the Holy Spirit beckons us to "come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" not only for ourselves, but more importantly, for others (Hebrews 4:16). The indwelling love of Christ motivates and empowers us to look outward and away from ourselves as we live for the glory of God and the blessing of needy people. We pray regarding our own needs, of course, and find the Benefactor to be abundantly faithful. However, His primary calling involves a life of prayer that progressively delivers us from paralyzing self-centeredness. If we could visibly see the holy Occupant of the throne of grace as we make our approach, we would witness His gaze most directed toward others in our lives rather than ourselves. Such a focus of love redirects our own gaze in the unselfish devotion to others that most fills and fulfills our hearts. "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).
The Benefactor beckons us to the throne in this day. He offers unsearchable riches to be administered according to His wisdom and per our request. Our needy sphere of influence desperately needs His saving grace, His illuminating light, His abounding supply, His transforming truth, and His comforting presence. Most of all, the people in our lives need Him. We play a vital role in our Lord's bestowal of Himself, His grace, and His mercy. We serve as "ambassadors for Christ" who represent the Benefactor in many ways (II Corinthians 5:20). One aspect of such grace involves making requests for the benefit of those in whom we see need. Such a calling constitutes the most blessed of privileges, and the most solemn of responsibilities. We do well to consider the gift often, and far more, to seek the Benefactor's giving to others, as administered by His wisdom and our requests.
"Charity (love) seeketh not her own."
(I Corinthians 13:5)
"God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you."
(I Samuel 12:23)
Weekly Memory Verse
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
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