In Old Testament times, many of the children of Israel were farmers and shepherds. Thus some of God’s promised blessings were couched in farm language. For example, in Proverbs 3:9-10, , God says that if we are financially faithful with Him, our “barns will be filled with plenty” (NKJV). It is likely that many Christians don’t have a barn today. So, we understand that God will bless our work or business if we are willing to follow and obey Him.

Read Proverbs 27:23-27. How would you interpret “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks” (NKJV) for Christians living today?

Image © Jim Howard at Goodsalt.com

However much the Bible warns against the rich trampling on the poor, or being greedy with their wealth, Scripture never condemns wealth or people’s efforts to acquire wealth, provided of course they don’t do it dishonestly or through oppressing others. In fact, the texts for today, in Proverbs, indicate that we should be diligent in our financial affairs in order that we may have enough for ourselves and our family. “You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household, and the nourishment of your maidservants” (Proverbs 27:27, NKJV).

How would we rephrase that verse for today? Maybe we would suggest, “Review your financial records and determine the state of your affairs.” Or “Do a balance sheet and understand your debt-to-equity ratio.” From time to time during your earning years, it would be appropriate to review your will or other documents and your present assets and update them as necessary. Documents such as wills and trusts are put in place early in the estate planning process in order to be a protection against untimely death, or of not being able for health reasons to decide about where your assets should go. The idea is to plan ahead for what will happen to your possessions once they are no longer yours.

In short, good stewardship of what God has blessed us with doesn’t deal only with what we have while alive but also with what happens after we are gone — because, unless the Lord returns in our lifetime, we will one day be gone while our material possessions, whether a little or a lot, will remain behind. Hence, it is up to us now to make provisions so that what we have been blessed with can be a blessing to others and for the furtherance of God’s work.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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“MANAGING FOR THE MASTER Till He Comes” will show us that 
God Is Working His Purpose Out – Hymn 225 in all we do and say. May we be encouraged by this hymn for this quarter and that 
In Our Work And In Our Play – Hymn 591 we will work until Jesus comes. Hence, a choice of theme hymns for this quarter.

Giving back is something we need to work on by looking 
In The Heart Of Jesus – Hymn 577 to be able to see and copy the best ways. It is then that we will be able to ask 
Live Out Thy Life Within Me – Hymn 316 to make a difference to all around us – with God’s abundant help. This is seen in Sunday’s study time where we will be enabled to be the opposite of The Rich Fool. We are encouraged to say 
All To Jesus I Surrender – Hymn 309 throughout this week. Sunday ends with us being encouraged to “watch but continue working”:  
Hymn 598 – Watch, Ye Saints.

“Because God is the Owner of everything (see Ps. 24:1)” on Monday, we know that 
God Will Take Care Of You – Hymn 99. “I will do my best, and God will do the rest”, is my favourite reminder in everything to be done on this old earth. This is echoed in being a good steward for our gracious God, being a blessing to others, and furthering God’s work (Tuesday’s conclusion paragraph).

Wednesday encourages us to trust the awesome God of our universe: 
Hymn 279 – Only Trust Him, Hymn 510 –
If You Trust In God To Guide You and 
Hymn 590 – Trust and Obey.

We are able to “return the rest to Him” (Thursday): 
Hymn 572 – Give Of Your Best To The Master because “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the wealth in every mine . . . . and I know that He cares for me” says Ps 50:10 and is then written in a song by John W. Peterson.

The final encouraging words on Friday are also found in 
Hymn 375 – Work For The Night Is Coming and 
Hymn 576 – Awake, Awake To Love And Work.

Today, and every day, we look forward to Jesus coming again. Oh, what a day that will be 
When We All Get To Heaven – Hymn 633 because 
That Glorious Day Is Coming – Hymn 209.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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