The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"That Which Cannot Be Taken"
At the same time God gave the freest and greatest gift ever given, an earthly ruler enacted a tax to take.
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city" (Luke 2:1-3).
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
This will not be a diatribe against taxes, but rather a rejoicing in a gift so wondrous that it applies to everything in our lives.
"He that spared not His own Son, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).
The world's economy affects us all and we must responsibly act in accordance with with its parameters and protocols. However, the primary economy by which believers live involves God's promise of provision, and our determination to respond in faith. In times of economic plenty in earthly terms, we seek to remember Solomon's wise warning: "Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven" (Proverbs 23:5). Indeed, earthly treasures ever seek flight, either in their substance, or our ability to enjoy it. Certainly, we give thanks for things, but always in the realization that anything we can hold with our hands will one day fly far from them.
In times of want, we remember the Apostle Paul's example of trusting God regarding need: "Therefore, I take pleasure in… necessities"(II Corinthians 12:10). Where did Paul find his greatest pleasure? Where do we? Certainly not in things with wings, as it were. Heavenly treasures rather fulfill our hearts, where they forever abide. I have long suspected that if the experience of God's peace and joy could be measured, we would find the believer most filled with such grace not in a circumstance and condition of earthly plenty, but of need. If we apply this possibility to our own lives, the truth will be obvious that whatever leads us trust God, even if difficult, fills our hearts far more than that which may fly away at any moment. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee" (Isaiah 26:3).
Let us enjoy God's blessings of earthly provision. He would have us do so (I Timothy 6:17). Let us enjoy, however, in the realization that the world ever seeks to take from us, and is often quite successful. God, conversely, gives that which cannot be taken. He gives Himself to those who trust in the Lord Jesus, the freest gift ever given, purchased by the highest cost ever remitted. He also gives us both the opportunity and the responsibility to make our choices as to whether things with wings will be the portion for which we seek, or treasures of the heart freely given, and that endure forevermore. The richest person on the earth in this moment likely knows this truth in circumstances that might surprise us on first consideration. But then, upon further contemplation guided by God and His Word, we will smile and acknowledge, how could it be otherwise?
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
(Matthew 6:19-21)
"And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all, for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."
(Luke 21:2-4)
Weekly Memory Verse
"Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."
(Proverbs 23:5)
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