A. To the righteous, all that pertains to life and godliness
II Peter 1:3 says, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”
What are some of the specific things God gives to the righteous? “For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy.” (Ecclesiastes 2:26)
When we look at people, we perceive that certain ones are good. However, God knows the heart. He sees which ones are good in His sight. God gives the righteous gifts that others cannot experience in full – wisdom, knowledge, and joy.
We as Christians can experience a joy that is not known by the world because of what Christ has done for us. What did Christ do for us? “3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”(I Peter 1:3-9)
Here are more things that God has given to the righteous
1. A lively hope
2. An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away
3. The trial of our faith, which is precious in His sight
4. The results of the trial of our faith, which are praise and honour and glory that are revealed at the appearing of Jesus Christ
5. Joy unspeakable and full of glory
6. Salvation – the joy and fruit of it now and the full realization of it when the resurrected Christ returns again.
B. To all people, all that is necessary for life
Acts 17:25 says that God “giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.”
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 says, “18Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. 19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 20For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.”
To all people, God gives
1. Life and breath
2. Food and drink
3. The joy of the success of hard work
4. Riches and wealth
Now, there are some hungry people in the world. Not everyone has a job. And certainly not everyone is rich and wealthy. However, in general, people in various places of the world have all that they need to live. Some who do not have enough could have enough if they took good care of and developed the resources that were before them. Some people do not have. On the other hand, others do have but miss out simply because they have not used that with which God has blessed them. Some people should have but others who are greedy have taken away that which those others should have.
Evil, poverty, and hunger cannot be blamed on God. God has provided all that man needs. Evil, poverty, and hunger are the result of sin in the world and are often the result of those who are greedily withholding from those who are in need or those who have not. One day God will make all that right again.
For now, I must ask God to show me what He has made available for me, to show me how to use the resources that He has given me, and to show me what I can do to glorify Him with what He has provided.
Thank You, Father, for giving me all that I need and for giving me joy, an inheritance, and the hope of eternal salvation through Your resurrected Son, Jesus Christ. Please show me all that You have made available to me and help me to avail myself of these resources in the way that would bring glory to You and further Your cause and work in the world. Thank You for taking care of me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Turn Again to the Lord