God is the great Provider

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 145:16, “You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Indeed, God is the great Provider, the One who supplies each of us with what we need to support this body and life.

All that we have materially in this life is a blessing from God. In Deuteronomy 8:17-18, we read, “Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.”

As Christians we are led to realize that God gives us His blessings for our benefit and for us to serve our neighbor. The way we use these blessings glorifies God. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31).

Through the atoning blood of Christ, we are free to use our God-given blessings to God’s glory. Through the working of the Holy Spirit in Word and Sacrament, we “lay up for” for ourselves “treasures in heaven . . . ” for where our treasure is, there our “heart will be also” (Matt. 6:20-21).

Through baptism Christ lives in us, and the life we live in this body is by faith in Him. In Christ, we glorify God by giving generously of ourselves, of our possessions and of our money.