"Using The Blessings"

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11 

Immediately after the presentation of the wise men's gifts to the Christ child we see Joseph, Mary and Jesus having to flee into Egypt for the child's protection. God's timing is always perfect. He knew what was coming. He knew that this family would have to relocate. He knew the move would be costly. He knew that Joseph would be leaving an established business as a carpenter and have to seek out new employment in a strange place where no one knew him or of his skills. He knew he would have to become reestablished in business to make a living to support his family. The gifts the wise men brought would help to fund this transition, provide for their needs and take care of the child.

 

God always sends what we need when we need it, but what do we do with it when He does? Living in a material society, such as we do here, it is easy for Christians to develop the mindset that everything God gives us is meant to be spent on us alone. We often think that He has given it to us so that we can buy some new material thing that we have wanted. 

 

Is this what you do with what God has given you? Are you spending it solely on selfish material desires? Or are you spending it on Him? Joseph and Mary could have gone out and bought many luxuries for themselves with these treasures they had just received. But in their case, it was sent to meet a need that God saw was coming, it was sent to use it to take care of Jesus and accomplish the work that God had given them to do. When God sends extra blessings our way, it is so easy for us to want to spend it selfishly and foolishly. It is not wrong to enjoy what you have labored hard for, but just remember that when God gives you anything it is intended to meet your need and to use to "take care of Jesus' work". We are blessed to be a blessing and not to consume it upon our own lusts. 

 

Have a great day. When God sends material blessings your way, do you use them solely on selfish wants, or do you use them on Him and His work? 

 

For further reading:

Matthew 6:19,20

James 4:3

1 John 3:17

Luke 12:15-31