Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Generosity
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Holding Onto You by Mike Flathers; All Over the World by Matt Redman; Glory to God Forever by Fee; How He Loves Us by David Crowder.
Read: Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Luke 12:27-31; Matthew 6:8-13; Psalm 61:3-5; Acts 2:44-47
Think: What is it that we really need? The Bible teaches God will provide our every need --- but what is that truly referring to? Whatever it is, it has to apply to the richest Christians and the poorest Christians in the world. So it can't be iPods and flat screen TVs. Pastor Ben taught us this weekend that one of the "hot topics" in growing and becoming everything God wants us to be is a good and healthy relationship with money.
A foundation for that is knowing God will provide what we need! We don't have to be anxious at all, we can simply know that it's His promise (see Luke 12:27-31). Our faith in God gives us the benefit of His daily provision just as Jesus taught in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:8-13). The Bible gives specifics including food, drink and clothing. But I absolutely trust God provides for other human needs, in fact I know this to be true from experience.
Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist who founded the theories behind humanistic psychology. In themselves they say we can become everything we are meant to be on our own - which certainly isn't the Biblical perspective but I think we can borrow safely the hierarchy of five human needs he describes.
As young Christians our physiological needs (bottom of the hierarchy) are what we often focus on and what bring us to God in desperation. Once we experience God's provision He builds in us a sense of safety and shelter in Him (Psalm 61:3-5). That sense of safety draws us into community with the other believers (Acts 2:44-47) and being accepted and loved in that environment gives us self esteem (we see ourselves through God's eyes). All these building blocks lay the foundation for God actualization (rather than self), serving Him and His people using the wonderful gifts He has laid up in us.
God knows our every need - and He wants to be our Source, our Sustainer, our Provider... because He loves us. We can find our true fulfillment in Him - Jesus promised He was the Bread of Life and the Living Water that will leave us to never thirst again.
Do: Assess your progress in the hierarchy of human needs. Do you believe God can provide for you? Do you feel safe in God? Do you feel that you belong in the body of Christ and are accepted and loved? Do you know the great things God says about you and how awesome you are in Him? If you have all these other needs met, are you serving the Lord out of this rich foundation?
Pray: Lord, thank you that you promise to meet my needs; physical, emotional and aspirational. Help me where I am today to grow and take my next right step as I seek to become that mighty tool in Your hand helping to reveal Your kingdom here on earth. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
