Great Gratitude: An Overflowing Thankfulness of God's Gracious Provisions

God is neither stingy nor greedy with His possessions. He is openhanded and loving toward all He has made. He always gives us what is best for us even if we cannot clearly understand His ways. His mission for us is to be like Jesus and He uses all He allows in our lives towards this great end. There are certainly amazing joys in the present, but the blessed joys we will receive at length in heaven are far greater still. The treasures, blessings and joys of earth cannot be compared with what “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor mind conceived” that which awaits us in our heavenly home. 

Never judge the Father’s love by our temporal blessings. While the Father gives generously and often does shower us with earthly provisions, they do not compare to His care for our souls, rather they merely give us a taste of what lies ahead in our heavenly eternal homes. Further, what He gives is to be used both for His glory and for our good. Remember as well, earth is our trek through to our heavenly homes. And what we do in the present matters for the future. How foolish to live simply for the fleeting temporal alone. Our Lord teaches us we are to be more mindful of “storing up” riches in our eternal dwellings rather than riches on our temporary earthly sojourns. We see in Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV): “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” He knows our hearts will be where our treasure lies. Often when we lose the temporal we become more mindful of the eternal. And it becomes more precious and meaningful as it certainly should. 

In prosperity we often forget God. We become careless and secure in our earthly treasures rather than in Him. Busy about our own little lives. We can be proud and impatient thinking we are deserving of what His Hand has bestowed and fretful or worried over losing the earthly “trinkets” He has placed in our hands. Remember, everything comes from His Hand with purpose. It often takes a very strong faith to handle great wealth rightly. Riches can be more difficult for most to handle than poverty. In wealth we often become unthankful and lovers of the world instead of lovers of Him and our future heavenly benefits. And we can misplace our security and happiness in the wrong “well”. Inflame our affections, Lord, that we may desire only You and use what You have allowed in our lives to bring you much glory and us much good.