He is an AND God

This morning, as I read through my daily reading, I noticed the Holy Spirit was pricking my heart about how I think about money.

When I read I Kings 10, I was offended at the opulence and frivolity of Solomon’s wealth. As I read about his decorating style, my thought was, “What a waste. That money could be used to feed the poor.”

Next, I read Acts 4, where members of the early church sold property and donated the funds to the church so none was lacking among them. My thoughts were, “I would want to make sure the people who received the funds, were good stewards of what they received.”

And the Holy Spirit said, “Your problem is not with money but with understanding my resources.”

I ended my reading in Psalms 95. These words caught my attention:
“Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness,”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭95:8‬ ‭NASB‬‬

What happened at Meribah? After being believed spectacularly from their enemies, the children of Israel came to a place where there was no drinkable water. They began to complain and grumble. They wanted to go back to bondage. They did not trust that God would provide.

My thoughts as I read the word this morning, was like those at Meribah. My thoughts revealed I was not trusting God for provision.

Whether it is water, people in need, or a nice palace, it is God who provides. I need to trust His provision is not limited. He is an “AND’ God. Because of our limiting thinking, we want to make Him an ‘OR’ God.

God can build lavish buildings AND provide for the poor.
God can give to the poor AND teach them to be good stewards.
God can deliver you from oppression AND provide your needs on the other side.
God is just AND merciful.

My prayer this morning: “Lord, I repent from my limited thinking. Teach me to trust your provision. Teach me I can’t out give you. Teach me to be generous. Teach me not to despise your generosity. Teach me to see you as an AND God when it comes to resources.”