Unlimited spending!!!!

My daughter recently posted a silly little question on Facebook.  She asked why she could not have unlimited spending at two of her favorite shopping hangouts.  One of her friends posted back:  "Well, the Bible says, 'Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together and running over.'  Start buying me lots of stuff and you will be crazy blessed!"  Now, I know this was a humorous response to silly question, but I liked the idea it prompted in my mind about today's blog!  

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.  Is there anyone around who can explain God?  Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?  Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him;  Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise!   Yes. Yes. Yes. (Romans 11:33-36 The Message)

Paul challenges us with this question:  Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God?  If we really begin to consider this, we probably all would find we have so much in the way of "riches" right in our own possession and we either don't see them, or we have been taking them for granted all this time.  The immediate blessing which comes to mind is the incredibly unfathomable acceptance of each of us into the family of God.  I am not from royalty, but I have been adopted into a family of incredible royalty!  Now, there's a blessing to consider!

What about the blessings of our ability to do simple tasks which we take for granted so very often?  Things like brushing our teeth, combing our hair, and buttoning our own clothing.  As a nurse, I have seen thousands over the years lose this very ability - through the effects of crippling arthritis, spinal cord injuries, or neurological assaults on the brain.  We just don't know what a blessing it is to be able to complete these simple tasks until we find ourselves unable to do them!

So, now that you have thought of a few blessings you maybe take for granted, let's look at what else Paul says here.  He tells us we'll never figure out God.  Well, I am no rocket scientist, but I'd agree with him whole-heartedly on this point!  Try as I might, God's wisdom, grace, and unconditional love are unfathomable to me!  Everything comes from him.  Everything happens through him.  Everything ends in him.  Everything!  

All we "possess".  All which seemingly just "happens" in our day.  All is a result of him being the Lord of our lives.  Nothing is by our own creation - we are impossible of creation without him.  Nothing is by our own efforts - he gives us the breath and strength to undertake the task at hand.  

When we stop to consider God, we think of one word:  Everything.

When we stop to consider what we are without God, we think of one word:  Nothing.

So, if I want "everything" - I am really saying I want more of God!  

Now, it may not be unlimited spending at my favorite shopping hangout, but it is much more fulfilling than a new pair of jeans!  So, before we start wishing for more of what we "think" we need, maybe we should start asking for more of what we "really" need!  God is never more honored than when we bring our need to him.  It is in the acknowledging of our dependence upon him that he is brought honor.  

Apart from God, we really possess nothing.  In God, we are blessed with and through everything!  It is not just what we possess, but what possesses us!  God's greatest glory is not found in us figuring him out - - it is in us honoring him with our obedience and love!  Our "unlimited spending" is really most rewarding when it is in the courts of God.