His Riches

The phrase “I have given you all things,” stood out to me as the Bible study teacher read a scripture. “What kind of things?” I asked. He responded by saying “All things.” Of course I was familiar with such scriptures as II Peter 1:3 that says He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, and the one where Paul says in II Corinthians 6:10 about Christian ministers, “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

My mind rationalized that we obviously don’t have all things, such as material wealth. But of course God gave us the world with all the resources and raw materials that provide for our lives since time began. Then it occurred to me that the resources for whatever the Lord leads us to attempt for Him will be provided! What a liberating thought! So many times we think of the obstacles and limitations that have to be overcome before we start an endeavor. But if He gives us all things, that frees us from those limitations!

Then there is the scripture in Romans 8:32, reminding us, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” The more I thought about it and reflected on God’s blessings, I had to acknowledge his provision for us, even recently. A couple of weeks ago, Howard was granted a long-held desire when our son dropped the keys of a pick-up truck into his hand. He is as happy as a kid with a new toy. “Every man needs a truck,” he has said like a mantra for years. Now he wants to take it everywhere we go.

And just two years ago, we were given a second car, a nice little Honda that will probably outlast our other sedan, by another thoughtful son. Now we are a three-car family for a family of two! Not only that, the Lord has provided us with a snug, comfortable cottage that we have made into an attractive, comfortable home.

The Bible says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3. We are also beginning to see more spiritual blessings. Sunday night Howard shared that he had seen a vision of flames of fire in all the windows of the church during a time of praise and worship. He has had other experiences of this kind of spiritual manifestation, as well. I think we can say with Paul, that truly, “as having nothing, and yet possessing all things,” applies to us, too!