Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
The stewardship of wealth
Mathew. 15.32-39

And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?”

              The feeding of the four thousand in this passage is indeed a separate miracle, distinct from the feeding of the five thousand (Mat:14: 13-21). Here Jesus is primarily talking to the Gentiles. We also see that they were with Jesus for three days and they must have run out of their food supplies so Jesus had compassion on them.
Do we have Compassion like Jesus had?
God is a God of all people and He is reaching out to all. His miracles were not for his own glorification, but out of compassion for the sufferings of the people. Jesus reached out to the needy wherever they were. He helped those who were the marginalized and the outcasts. He cared about their everyday needs and he was filled with compassion. Do we have the same type of compassion like Jesus had, to our fellow brothers and sisters who are in need?
Are we too soon to forget what God has done for us so far?
The disciples were confused, unsure and uncertain when they felt helpless finding food for the crowd. They were actually with Jesus when he had performed other miracles and had fed over 5000 men previously. They forgot that it was the very Son of God who was with them. As Jesus’ disciples, we should not forget that Jesus is able to meet all our needs and is able to give above and beyond what we can imagine. Are we soon to forget what God has done for us?
Are we willing to bring our possessions to Jesus?
His disciples found 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish and the person who had them was willing to share it with others. He was not self-centered and had the mind to give it to others as a blessing. We too should offer what little we have to strengthen God’s kingdom. Whatever we have is all God’s gift. The Bible says it is not money but “the love of money” that “ is the root of all kinds of evil” (1st Timothy6:10). We are only stewards of God given talents, time and treasures and if we share these, God will multiply them and bless others through us. Are we willing to bring our possessions to Jesus?
Jesus was able to provide seven basketfuls of left-overs which shows that God is able to provide us with an over abundance. Do you have the complete confidence that “nothing is impossible with God?” What talent, gift or material blessing do you have to give to the Lord? Have you asked God to bless it, no matter how small that is? Are you willing for God to use it as a blessing for others? Are you willing to trust everything to God, “to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share” (Ist Timothy 6:18b).

Prayer: O Lord, Help us, in sharing our possessions with the less fortunate around us so that we can be blessings for others. Amen
Thought for the Day: God is asking each of us “How many loaves do you have?” Are we willing to give all our talents, time and treasures for Jesus ?

Alex T. Thomas, M.D., New Jersey Mar Thoma Church, Randolph, N.J.







Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more