|
Women in Discipleship (sm)
Devotionals for 2005
Week 14
Our verse for this week is a continuation of Ecclesiastes 2:26. Let's look at the rest of the story.
Scripture to ponder: Ecclesiastes 2:26b - "(For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, 26a) while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting, so that he may give to one who is good in God's sight."
Last week we saw that God gives His children wisdom, knowledge, and joy. These gifts are given as we walk humbly in God's grace and mercy. His goodness is what we desire. In the pursuit of His holiness, He gives us His wisdom, knowledge and joy. How blessed we are!
In the second part of this verse, we see the contrast to the first part about Christian living. The author says, "but to the sinner," the one who is apart from God, God gives the work of gathering and collecting. In the end it will all be given to the one who is good in God's sight.
Job understood this concept when he said, "Though he piles up silver like dust and prepares garments as plentiful as the clay, he may prepare it, but the just will wear it and the innocent will divide the silver." (Job 27:16-17)
As Christians, we see from an eternal perspective. Our home is not here but with the Lord in heaven. Our labor here yields eternal fruit. Every sinner needs the Savior, Jesus Christ. Time on earth is fleeting. We are called to share Jesus with sinners in hopes that they will receive the eternal reward of heaven. Useful labor is sharing Jesus instead of working for the things of this world that will only rust and decay.
When you see a sinner this week toiling in the temporal, ask God for wisdom and knowledge to share Jesus with them. I'm sure that the joy of Jesus will shine through in His power and by His Spirit working in you.
We are each given this challenge and blessing every day. (Matt. 28:18-20)
May your journey this week yield eternal fruit!
Blessings to each of you,
Sandra Davis for the team at Women in Discipleship
|
