Proverbs 3:5 – A Wasted ‘Best’?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ NLT

I’ve been fortunate lately to spend small amounts of time with several leaders of my church. We’ve got many great things going on, but I’ve found myself feeling drained from travel and other things, creating a nagging feeling that I wasted their time and my input has fallen well short of giving my best in those conversations.

And this worries me. The work of the church is the hope of the world. Literally, lives and eternity hang in the balance as church leaders gather input and use it to inform their decisions. So as this weighed on me this morning, I got a strong indication why: I’ve been trying to do this myself. I’ve been trying to give these leaders my best, not giving them the best God can offer through me.

In whatever you’re doing, you need to give your best. And that’s hard enough. But you have to be intentional, creating a schedule that allows you to be at your personal best when it’s time for God to tap in and use you.

I’ve got to make some changes, starting with more consistent prayer, scripture, and rest. I hope you will pray for those changes for me. I would be delighted if you shared your list so I can pray for you also.

Malachi 3:10 – Testing with Checking

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:10 NLT

Image courtesy Purified Through Flames

“God, just give me a sign. I want to know you’re there.”

Sound familiar? For most of us, we’ve wanted some reassurance, to be able to test God. God knows. He’s given us one area where we can test Him: our finances. Jesus taught about money more than any other topic. He knew it was the most likely stumbling block to faith. He knew God encouraged us to test Him with our money.

What’s the catch? You have to give first, and then God will open the storehouse? Spoiler Alert: Jesus is God’s tithe. God didn’t wait to see if we would be faithful before sending His son.

As you pray today, thank God for His provision in your life. If you’re already enjoying His storehouse, praise Him joyfully! If you aren’t, thank God for His tithe and ask for His guidance in your budget.

If you think His provision has been insufficient and haven’t been faithful with your money, what’s stopping you? God anted-up first. The locked doors of His storehouse are your decision.

Ephesians 4:29 – Speaking Grace

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 NASB

So…what have you said so far today? Anything that might fall just a tiny bit short of this standard? Your words have great power, and God wants us all to recognize this. Your words can give life or take life away. Our hyper-confrontational, selfish culture wants you to do what you want all the time – to speak your mind whatever the damage to the other person.

Pray today for God to help you hear what you say from others’ perspectives. Pray for discipline to monitor your words and to choose those that build others up. Lastly, pray for God to fill you so full of His Spirit that when you speak, His words are delivered.

Don’t miss this – God has given us His power, the power to give grace to others with our words. Choose today to give grace to all who hear you.