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Theme: BUILDING NEW JERUSALEM
Text: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6.
Comment: Implicit trust in Jehovah to provide, replenish and increase the wealth of those who use their resources to serve Him come into focus in regard to the benefits of faith as highlighted in the above text. To use ones earnings for the building of New Jerusalem requires sacrifice.
As explained by Jesus Christ in the account of Luke 21:1-4, the poor widow who made an offering of two mites made a greater sacrifice than all the rich men put together. (Luke 12:4) An important lesson here is that one may give so much and yet be seen by God as having punched below his weight as He knows the amount of resources he has blessed every one of us with. One can give so little and yet has made a greater sacrifice.
In 1 Kings 17:8-24, Elijah the prophet was sent by God to Zarephath to a widow for sustenance. Although she explained that she was about to prepare the last meal for her and her son after which they would wait for death by hunger, she still prepared the meal and gave it to Elijah first. She believed the word of God that the food will not be exhausted during the period of the famine. (Verse 16) In addition, her son who died at the instance of the devil was raised to life by the grace of God. This is a clear example of the power and benefits of making sacrifices for God’s work. See Ephesians 3:20, 21.