Gain by Keith Cook
But godliness with contentment is great gain: 1 Timothy 6:6
What's in it for me?
What will I gain from this?
What do I get out of it?
Why would I want to do that?
I want to make all the money I can so I can do missions one day!
If only I did not have so much debt, I would do something great for God.
Do any of these statements sound familiar? These questions and rationalizations float in and out of our rational brains quite often. While it is not a sin to have questions - questions can lead to sin if our thoughts are not given over to Christ.
It is always costly to give of ones self and meet the needs of others. Missionaries down through the ages have sacrificed comforts, conveniences, cares, and criticism to do the work of the Lord. But it does not take a full time missionary to live the Christian life in power and purpose. You can gain in this life if you gain with God's standard of measure.
What is God's standard of Gain?
1. God measures greatness by character rather than commotion. Just doing something for God does not make one great. Being a man of God, man of prayer, and man of faith is judged not by outward activities but in the secret closet of ones intentions, heart's desires, and motives.
2. God gives favor and blessing based on His ultimate plan for mankind over heredity or status. You do not gain in God's sight because you are born wealthy or have been educated at Oxford. You see the favor of God because you have become His child and have a mission to do on His behalf.
3. God gives gain to those He can trust. Can God trust you with success? Can He trust you with wealth and fame? Many Christians enter into ministry for Christ full of dreams and visions and quickly start working for their glory and their self esteem. Let the Holy Spirit lead you as you handle the Holy Vessels of God. Your message and mission is His message and mission. It is to be all about Him and all for Him!
4. God gives gain to those who will give it away. "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliott. Now is the time for selfless living and selfless giving. God may ask you for your wealth. He may ask you for your life. He may only demand more of your time. But - he will find the areas of your life that are not totally His and begin to work on them. Commit to give God all your life. Hold back nothing. Whatever He asks of you respond - Here I am send me! Whatever sacrifice He requires respond - As Christ gave His life for me I give my life for you.
To gain with God may I offer the following to-do items:
1 Begin to develop character by being what you say you are.
2. Spend time with God in order to know His will for your life.
3. In prayer deal with unconfessed sin and areas of pride that can destroy your effectiveness and value to Christ.
4. Write down what you hear God telling you to do. Keep a record of all you plan or desire to do under His direction. Keep yourself accountable to God by remembering all you have promised.
Daily Prayer Focus: Pray that God will enable you to maintain a Godly focus so that you can continue to reach out effectively for Him.
On The Go Prayer Focus: On The Go Publications & Media Team. We are striving to saturate and minister to a contemporary culture and society through modern media. This division includes our audio, video, internet, and written materials. Through these various ministries we reach out, train, and inspire Christians to action.
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On The Go Daily Devotion for January 13, 2013
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