Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Tag: Psalm 145:9

  • True Blessing and Faith

    Jesus once said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45)

    This challenges us to think deeply: does material abundance automatically mean we are blessed by God? If that were so, it would suggest that many wealthy but ungodly individuals are more favored than the faithful who live humbly. Yet Jesus reminds us that God’s providential grace is given to all, regardless of faith (Psalms 145:9; Acts 14:17).

    It is common for Christians to fall into the trap of equating wealth with divine favor, forgetting that both abundance and scarcity are tests of our faith. The greater question is this: in times of plenty or in want, will we continue to praise God and live in obedience to Him?

    Jesus often warned of the spiritual dangers of riches. Luke recounts the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13–21), and all three Synoptic Gospels tell of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-24; Mark 10:17-23; Luke 18:18-25). When asked to surrender his possessions and follow Christ, the young man went away sorrowful. This led Jesus to declare, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:23)

    Many contemporary preachers equate wealth with divine favor, but Proverbs 10:22 reminds us that “the blessing of the LORD makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” True blessing lies not in amassing possessions but in finding contentment in God’s daily provision and being ready to share whenever He calls. This truth is evident in Jesus’ warning to the man obsessed with building larger storehouses for his wealth: “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” He concluded, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21) On the other hand, Jesus praised the poor widow who gave two copper coins in contrast to the wealthy who contributed large sums of money, saying, “This poor widow has given more than everyone else. Because they all gave from abundance, but she, out of poverty, has given everything she had, all she had to live one day.” (Mark 12:41-44)

    Paul, applying the teachings of Jesus, contrasted the wealthy Corinthians with the impoverished yet generous Macedonian believers. Despite their poverty, the Macedonians displayed the heart and teachings of Christ through remarkable generosity (2 Corinthians 8:1–6). Their giving was voluntary, sacrificial, and inspired by deep devotion to God—an “act of grace” (2 Corinthians 8:6).

    Likewise, Paul praised the Philippians for their gifts, expressing the “act of grace” in another way: “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). It is called an act of grace because everything we have comes from God, and our ability to give flows from His grace.

    In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus confirmed this truth when He told the faithful who gave to those in need, “As you did it to one of the least of these brothers, you did it to Me” (v.40). Conversely, those who withheld care, generosity, and compassion faced the opposite judgment (vv.41–46). True generosity reflects God’s grace working in our hearts.

    Let’s take a moment to reflect on the greatness of God? He alone is the source of everything good, while we are simply recipients, entrusted with the privilege to care, to share, and to give. Yet, our acts of grace are credited to us. As Philippians 4:17 shows, Paul expressed his gratitude by saying, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” It is no wonder Paul recalled the teachings of Jesus and said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Matthew 10:8; Matthew 25:34-40; Luke 14:12-14; 2 Corinthians 9:6-12; Philippians 4:17-20; Hebrews 13:16). A truth quite the opposite of what many believe, isn’t it?

    Christians, we are called to live by faith. James reinforces that faith without works is dead (James 2:14–20). Authentic faith expresses itself in action—serving others, meeting needs, and living out love. Salvation comes through faith, but genuine faith is proven in a daily walk of obedience.

    Paul’s words in Philippians 2:12–13 remind us that faith is not a single moment but an ongoing journey of surrender and obedience to God. He calls on us believers to “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling,” not to earn salvation, but to live in a way that reflects the gift we have received. Our life’s testimony—through seasons of joy or struggle—reveals our trust in His perfect will. As the Gospel transforms us, God Himself works in our hearts, shaping our desires and guiding our actions for His glory. In response, we are to let His salvation manifest in how we live, bringing forth good works as the fruit of our faith.

    This reflection encourages us to pause and reflect on what truly constitutes as blessings. It prompts us to assess how our faith is manifested in our daily lives. In fact, even in our ministry and sharing of the Gospel, as stated in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessings!

  • A Reflection on God’s Goodness

    Adam’s punishment for breaking God’s covenant was not only death, he would also toil for his food until he died (Genesis 3:17-19). However, this curse was reversed after the flood during Noah’s days, as seen in Genesis 8:20-22.

    “Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in His heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.’”

    God’s restoration of His blessings to human toil was evident through His covenant with Noah. For that alone, we should be grateful for God’s grace.

    In fact, Jesus teaches us Christians to love even our enemies because God has a common grace for everyone. Check out Matthew 5:44-45, Psalm 145:9 and Acts 14:17. So why is there suffering and scarcity of food or resources for people? It is because of man’s selfishness and greed. Hence, in Christ’s parable in Luke 12:15-21, the rich man who has an abundant harvest is condemned to die because he laid up treasures for himself and is not rich towards God. 

    Christians, there have been talks of an impending economic hardship or collapse. Learn from the story of 1 Kings 17. There was a drought, and therefore, famine ensued. Elijah, a man of God, was shielded from the drought and famine. God asked him to go to the brook and commanded ravens to bring him food. Later, the brook dried up, and he was commanded to go to a widow, whom God commanded to feed Elijah. 

    Elijah came to the widow. She was destitute, with only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug, enough for her to prepare her and her son’s last meal. Strangely, Elijah told the widow to go prepare food and bring it first to him. 

    If you have been reading this story in the Bible, perhaps at this point in the story, anyone would say Elijah thought only about himself. Because the widow had already told him she had nothing left except her last resources for her and her son’s last meal. But reading on would reveal Elijah was simply exercising his faith in God. God told him to go to this widow for provision (1 Kings 17:8).

    The widow, clearly burdened by God, did exactly what Elijah told her to bring him food first. The Bible then narrates, “And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that He spoke by Elijah.” (1 Kings 17:15-16)

    The widow and her son actually benefited from the presence of Elijah, because God was with him. They experienced God’s divine providence because the widow honored God by responding positively to God’s instructions spoken through Elijah. 

    Christians, if God can provide for Elijah, the widow, and her son in strange ways, and He changes not, He would do the same if only we would trust God, even in the midst of economic difficulties. 

    The Bible in Psalm 37 states, “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when He delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37:23-25)

    Jesus Christ teaches us not to worry about food, drink, or clothing. God provides for even the birds, so how much more will He care for us, who are far more precious to Him? These worries often consume the thoughts of those who do not believe, but our heavenly Father knows all our needs. Instead, we should seek first His kingdom and His righteousness—through Christ Jesus (Romans 10:4)—and God will take care of our daily needs (Matthew 6:25-33).

    If we claim to believe in John 3:16, which states that eternal life is in Christ Jesus, why is it so difficult for us to trust that Jesus Christ cares for our daily needs? Stop worrying and have faith in God’s Word.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!