Introduction : When I lay in bed with pulmonary tuberculosis, my older sister was embroidering a pillow cover that she would use during her married life. The back of her embroidery frame looked a mess. When I saw the red, blue, and yellow disorderly threads here and there, it didn´t appear to be anything. However, several days later, I was amazed to see the front of the pillow cover with beautifully embroidered flowers, butterflies, and brooks on it. If we entrust our lives to God, He embroiders them. From our viewpoint, they may look rather bad, but after He finishes with His embroidery skills, we will surely marvel at His wonderful work.
1. God works for those who love Him (Ps 91:14). 1) If we love God, we are always with Him physically and mentally (Mt 22:37). 2) If we love God, we serve Him with a self-sacrificing spirit (Isa 56:2, Mal 3:10). 3) If we love God, we always rejoice in and boast about Him (Ps 34:1-2, 103:1-2).
2. We should be called according to His purpose. 1) Lucifer disobeyed God´s will. (1) He coveted the throne of God (Isa 14:12-15). (2) He was proud and haughty (Eze 28:6, 17). (3) He disobeyed the will of God (Eze 28:14-16). 2) Adam disobeyed God´s call. (1) He was so greedy that he desired to be like God (Ge 3:4-5). (2) He was proud, forgetting that he was a mere creature (Ge 3:6). (3) He disobeyed the Word of God (Ge 2:16-17). 3) In order to be called according to God´s purpose. (1) We must not covet - selfish greed (Mt 5:8 Col 3:5). (2) We must be faithful to the work given to us - the parable of talents (Mt 25:21, 29, Ro 12:6-8). (3) We must obey the will of the Lord - Jesus´ death on the Cross (Isa 53:10, Jn 6:40).
3. In all things God works for the good. 1) God foreknew before creation (Eph 1:4-5). 2) God has known what to do and prepared for it - success, failure, etc. (1 Co 2:9, Ps 139:16, Ro 8:26, Php 4:19). 3) God works for those who depend on Him (Ps 37:5-6, Jer 33:2-3). 4) God turns evil into good (Ge 50:20, Ps 23:5, 30:11, Isa 38:17, Jas 5:13).
Conclusion : Earning money with God´s help is never ungodly. You will see a beautiful and righteous accomplishment when you use your materials for the glory of God by following His will. Poverty itself is an absolute curse. However, it is so beautiful to have the kind of faith that is victorious and will serve God and never despair in spite of poverty. |