Ready To Receive

Ready to Receive

If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? Luke 16:11

IMAGINE A FATHER WHO WANTS TO GIVE his son everything he desires but then observes his son mishandling almost everything he is given. No wise father would continue pouring out such generosity and wealth—not because he loves his son less, but because his son needs to learn a few good lessons. Responsibility managed well results in greater responsibility. Responsibility managed poorly results in less responsibility.

If you’ve ever wondered why God seems to be withholding his most generous blessings, consider this possibility. It applies in spiritual, material, and relational areas of life. If you’ve mismanaged whatever worldly goods you have, why would the Father pour answers to your prayers into your life, knowing you have no means for dealing with them? He wouldn’t. He will spend some time—as much as needed—training you for better things to come.

Many undisciplined souls have asked God for blessings that require disciplined stewardship. As much as God wants to answer your faith, he doesn’t want to ruin your life. Prayers for relationships depend on stewardship of your relationships; prayers for material goods depend on stewardship of your material goods; prayers for fruitfulness and meaning depend on your handling of fruitfulness and meaning. And your greater prayers for deep spiritual blessings? They depend on all of the above. A good steward can expect more; a bad steward has some growing up to do. The Father still wants to give, but he is a master of timing.

As you pray in faith, also pray with a sense of responsibility. Make any adjustments necessary to demonstrate your readiness for more. God is on your side. But that also means he guards your weaknesses. Strengthen them, grow in faith, and receive in the wisdom of his timing.

The most important thought I ever had was that of my individual responsibility to God.