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Monday, January 3, 2011

Too Small Containers!

By Dave Ridenour

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

“...My cup runs over” (Psa. 23:5)

Stop for a moment and consider the blessings bestowed upon us as the people of God and give thanks to Him as the giver of every good gift (cf. Jas. 1:17).

You and I Have Received More Than Most People. All over the world, there are people living in “third world countries” that could literally live off the trash that we throw away. We live in a country that holds only five percent of the world’s population but it uses nearly one-half of the world’s resources. Our poorest people in this country would be considered rich by the estimation of the world’s poorest people.

You and I Have Received More Than We Deserved. We have been born Americans. What providence made us live in a land of peace and prosperity? Why is it that we were blessed with hearing the Gospel of Christ and the freedom to read the “good book”? In some countries the Bible has been banned and the freedom of religion is only a pipe dream. Yet we were born in a nation established first by the desire for the free expression of faith.

You and I Have Received More Than We Ever Can Repay. Like Paul, we should say: “I am under obligation...I am eager to preach the gospel...I am not ashamed of the gospel” (Rom. 1:14-16 ESV). “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Rom. 13:8). Boy, that’s an obligation that we will never be able to write a check that says: “Paid in Full!” However, we can spend a lifetime of dedication and service in glorifying our Savior and bringing His message to others.

Our cups are not big enough to hold all of God’s blessings, but it is good to know that we have a God who has enough blessings to always keep our cups over-flowing!

- Dave Ridenour (adapted); via the weekly bulletin of the Harrisburg church of Christ in Harrisburg, IL. You may visit their website at
http://www.harrisburgchurchofchrist.org


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