Being Resourceful   Prov. 10:5 --   EBC  Wednesday Night Prayer meeting   10/20/04

  The Biblical concept of being resourceful is “to gather” (Prov. 13:11). Gather lit means “to grasp”. Another Hebrew word means “to harvest”. Lord Chesterfield – “take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves”.

I. The Importance of Resourcefulness

  God provided food for the fowls but they must be resourceful to get it and to store it.

  A. II Cor. 9:8- the result of resourcefulness is to increase our net worth so we can increase our ability to help others

  B. Matt. 25:15-27 – shows the value of being resourceful

  C. Lev. 19:9-10 – when God designed the laws, statutes and judgments for Israel he made provisions for “social welfare”. For the program to work there had to be resourcefulness on some body’s part.

    1. Ruth 2:1-7 – the program kept Naomi and Ruth alive after they returned from Moab. This was also an opportunity for Boaz to minister to the needs of others.

      a. Ex. Potatoes in field in Northern Neck of Va.

II. The Preserving of Life Through Resourcefulness

  A. During the flood -

    1. Gen. 6:19-21 – Noah and his family gathered and stored the food to keep the animals and themselves alive during the flood.

  B. During famine –

    1. Gen. 41:35-36 – Joseph, during times of blessings, made preparation for the days of famine.

    2. Rom. 12:13 –

      a. II Cor. 8:14 -

III. The Power of Resourcefulness

  A. Deut. 8:18 -

  B. Jas. 1:17 –

IV. Questions

  A. Would God be pleased with the way we use the assets he has given us? School bricks broken, basketball goal ruined because we didn’t put it up after it was given to us.

  B.  Have you searched out valuable assets others are disgarding?