Provision and Sabbath

Leviticus 25:5-7
"What grows of its own accord of your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine, for it is a year of rest for the land. 6 And the sabbath produce of the land shall be food for you: for you, your male and female servants, your hired man, and the stranger who dwells with you, 7 for your livestock and the beasts that are in your land—all its produce shall be for food."


When we honor God first with our time and priorities through the Sabbath, we can be confident that He will honor and care for us. This we know and believe. However the most amazing part of God's provision here according to this verse is that He blesses us enough to even care for others!... and especially the stranger! God's priority for the poor, the stranger and the lost do not diminish even when His resources seem to. Like Joseph's seven year harvest of plenty - God still provides enough to share with others (even his crummy rotten brothers!). And if we are diligent and wise with the abundance in year 6, we can stretch God's blessings into year 7 and 8 and the lives of many others (Lev. 25:20-22). When my resources seem to be low or when I chose to honor God's Sabbath rest - His priorities don't change and neither should mine. I am blessed with much... and little, to be a blessing.

God, help me be generous and trustworthy with all I have. Teach me to rest and trust in You to continue blessing in and through me. Amen.