Abundance #7—Just Abundance

To everyone who has shall more be given. So he shall have an abundance. But from the one who does not have, even what he has shall be taken away. Matthew 25:29

While the weeds grow in the field among the wheat; while the wicked seem to prosper more than the righteous; while the rain God sends falls on the just and the unjust; the distribution of the effects of God’s grace seems out of balance. It does not seem right that anyone who despises the giver of all good and perfect gifts should enjoy the use of those gifts, even for a moment. But God in his wisdom accomplishes two purposes by such generosity in the lives of his creatures: Some of us are changed by the experience, so we turn from self-exaltation to worship our Creator. Some of us are confirmed in our folly, so we will have no excuse when we are judged. In the end, however, none of us will wonder about God’s justice or his generosity. For no one who mismanages God’s resources will retain any interest in, or access to, them. All of the goodness of God will be abundantly experienced by those who live in the new heavens and new earth. No one in Hell will have anything of God’s to enjoy. For Jesus will take away everything they had and give it to the godly. The gracious abundance of God in eternity is only for those who delight themselves in the abundantly gracious God today.

Righteous Master, grant me wisdom and energy so I will be a steward who delights in your goods and in your goodness. Amen.