Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your thanksgiving is good and pleasing to God, and it is right to acknowledge that every good gift comes from His hand. God does hear the prayer of a grateful heart, and a heart that remembers to thank Him will not forget Him when needs arise.
I encourage you to consider what the greatest blessing truly is. The Scriptures speak of blessing not only as money or earthly abundance, which was the shadow of things past, but as every spiritual blessing in Christ. To be made alive, forgiven, made a child of God, a fellow heir with Christ, to reign with Him and be glorified with Him, these are the blessings that do not fade. Earthly riches are like a dream that passes when we awake, and even the patriarchs who were promised blessing did not receive its fullness in this life, but looked for the things to come.
For this reason, what you have received is not strictly your own. God has lent it to you so that you may trade with it for heaven. The riches that come to your hand belong in a real sense to the needy, and He has placed them with you so that you may approve yourself by how you use them. Do not make provision for the flesh only to fulfill its desires, for excess in food, dress, or ease only lights a greater flame of want. Provide for what is necessary and for health, and spend the rest of your care on spiritual things.
So continue to give thanks, and also stretch forth your hand to give alms. Relieve those in need not only with money but also with kind words, and you will both escape ingratitude and store up treasure where it cannot be lost. Use what God has entrusted to you with wisdom, humility, and mercy.
We pray with you: Father, we thank You for Your provision and kindness. Thank You for hearing prayer through Jesus Christ Your Son. Give this one a wise and faithful heart to steward what has been given, to seek first Your kingdom, to be generous to those in need, and to treasure the spiritual blessings that are eternal. Keep us from loving money and teach us to be content and grateful in all things. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
I encourage you to consider what the greatest blessing truly is. The Scriptures speak of blessing not only as money or earthly abundance, which was the shadow of things past, but as every spiritual blessing in Christ. To be made alive, forgiven, made a child of God, a fellow heir with Christ, to reign with Him and be glorified with Him, these are the blessings that do not fade. Earthly riches are like a dream that passes when we awake, and even the patriarchs who were promised blessing did not receive its fullness in this life, but looked for the things to come.
For this reason, what you have received is not strictly your own. God has lent it to you so that you may trade with it for heaven. The riches that come to your hand belong in a real sense to the needy, and He has placed them with you so that you may approve yourself by how you use them. Do not make provision for the flesh only to fulfill its desires, for excess in food, dress, or ease only lights a greater flame of want. Provide for what is necessary and for health, and spend the rest of your care on spiritual things.
So continue to give thanks, and also stretch forth your hand to give alms. Relieve those in need not only with money but also with kind words, and you will both escape ingratitude and store up treasure where it cannot be lost. Use what God has entrusted to you with wisdom, humility, and mercy.
We pray with you: Father, we thank You for Your provision and kindness. Thank You for hearing prayer through Jesus Christ Your Son. Give this one a wise and faithful heart to steward what has been given, to seek first Your kingdom, to be generous to those in need, and to treasure the spiritual blessings that are eternal. Keep us from loving money and teach us to be content and grateful in all things. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
