The Hard Middle

Giving

It’s not for show

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 ESV

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Being seen / heard ain’t all that; it is vanity

Remember money is NOT the currency of the New Covenant!

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Luke 17:9–10 ESV

Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”

You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want. - ZiG Ziglar

Prayer

Textual Variant - v13

Vain Repetitions - emphasis on vain

Psalm 136:1–5 ESV

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;

A longstanding Christian practice which we would do well to bring back is the connection of reading scripture and prayer

More than asking

Adoration

Confession

Thankfulness

Supplication

Fasting

Do it - WHEN - personal or corporate

Also not for show

Treasuring

Matthew 6:21 ESV

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:22 ESV

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,

Garbage in, Garbage Out

Anxiety

Matthew 6:31–33 ESV

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Trusting God only for the outcome I want is to treat Him like the genie of the lamp rather than the One Sovereign, True, and Living God of the Bible.

There is nothing complex at the heart of Christian behavior, but also nothing easy. Praise be to God that we are to strive for these things in Christ and by the Spirit who is ever present, because as simple as it is, we’d never accomplish it on our own.