Fully Rich
By Rev. Dawn Scott-Jones
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).
Several years ago I was shopping at a one-stop shopping center with my two daughters in tow, both under age 4. Lisa and Angela were chattering up a storm, enjoying the depth of a pre-school conversation, while I managed to get them secured in the rickety grocery cart, and pushed over to the first stop on our list... the bakery!
Enthusiastically munching the sprinkles off the tops of their donuts, we strolled our way down the crowded aisles. My little "shoppers in training" were wide-eyed with excitement, oohing and aahing at everything in their 4-foot high sightline. I was financially calculating each item I dropped in the basket, while at the same time working on "damage control."
Little arms were stretching out wide, releasing VelcroT-like fingers that successfully grabbed at this toy and that snack declaring that life could just not go on without it. Aisle after aisle I listen to squeals of delight and moans of disappointment. They "picked up" and I "put back."
Finally exasperated with me, my oldest daughter Lisa, the spokeschild for the sisters, appealed to my maternal instincts.
"Mom," she pouted, "don't you want us to have anything?" I melted. "Of course I do honey, but Mommy only has enough money for a few things."
Certain my children were intelligent enough to understand "the budget," I went on to explain how Daddy worked hard for his earnings and how we had to do a good job at being stewards. Angela yawned and Lisa's eyes glazed over. Yep, they got it... it was clear as mud.
As we continued our shopping non-extravaganza, I could see that Lisa was still thinking about my words. I could almost hear those little wheels turning, when suddenly she looked up with one last inspiration, "Mom," she exhaled, "if we can't get any stuff now, can we get it when we are fully rich?"
Fully rich! Now there's a concept. God's Word tells us in 2 Peter 1:3 that God, by "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him." Because we know God, we can freely seek Him for all our needs. He is our eternal source who has made us fully rich in Christ. Psalm 34:10 tells us "Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." And again, Psalm 84:11, "No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19 ). Indeed, He has already made the provision through Jesus Christ. He is just waiting for us to ask Him.
Today, my riches go far beyond what I can see and touch. I have been blessed abundantly by God in my spirit. His joy and love, His strength and mercy are absolutely priceless. As His child I have clamored about many things I think I need. Please God, I neeeed this! But in His gentle way He reminds me that He is my Source who will meet all my needs. In Him I am fully rich.
By Rev. Dawn Scott-Jones
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).
Several years ago I was shopping at a one-stop shopping center with my two daughters in tow, both under age 4. Lisa and Angela were chattering up a storm, enjoying the depth of a pre-school conversation, while I managed to get them secured in the rickety grocery cart, and pushed over to the first stop on our list... the bakery!
Enthusiastically munching the sprinkles off the tops of their donuts, we strolled our way down the crowded aisles. My little "shoppers in training" were wide-eyed with excitement, oohing and aahing at everything in their 4-foot high sightline. I was financially calculating each item I dropped in the basket, while at the same time working on "damage control."
Little arms were stretching out wide, releasing VelcroT-like fingers that successfully grabbed at this toy and that snack declaring that life could just not go on without it. Aisle after aisle I listen to squeals of delight and moans of disappointment. They "picked up" and I "put back."
Finally exasperated with me, my oldest daughter Lisa, the spokeschild for the sisters, appealed to my maternal instincts.
"Mom," she pouted, "don't you want us to have anything?" I melted. "Of course I do honey, but Mommy only has enough money for a few things."
Certain my children were intelligent enough to understand "the budget," I went on to explain how Daddy worked hard for his earnings and how we had to do a good job at being stewards. Angela yawned and Lisa's eyes glazed over. Yep, they got it... it was clear as mud.
As we continued our shopping non-extravaganza, I could see that Lisa was still thinking about my words. I could almost hear those little wheels turning, when suddenly she looked up with one last inspiration, "Mom," she exhaled, "if we can't get any stuff now, can we get it when we are fully rich?"
Fully rich! Now there's a concept. God's Word tells us in 2 Peter 1:3 that God, by "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him." Because we know God, we can freely seek Him for all our needs. He is our eternal source who has made us fully rich in Christ. Psalm 34:10 tells us "Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." And again, Psalm 84:11, "No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19 ). Indeed, He has already made the provision through Jesus Christ. He is just waiting for us to ask Him.
Today, my riches go far beyond what I can see and touch. I have been blessed abundantly by God in my spirit. His joy and love, His strength and mercy are absolutely priceless. As His child I have clamored about many things I think I need. Please God, I neeeed this! But in His gentle way He reminds me that He is my Source who will meet all my needs. In Him I am fully rich.
