I had the opportunity to consider and discuss this a couple of times this week
Ephesians 1:17: “[I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know….. (Then he mentions three things)
- “What is the hope to which he has called you.” (to behold and become the likeness of Christ in the world to fulfill God’s will.)
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“What are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” ****
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“What is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.” (that is, the incomparable power of the Holy Spirit that resides in followers of Christ!)
**** As I’ve reflected on this in the context of some encounters with human needs around me, “… the riches of his inheritance in the saints” seems to be the gifts and resources God has placed at the disposal of his people, his church, to be used for those in need who share in faith in the Lord.
There are two economies… the kingdom economy and the culture’s economy….
The culture’s economy is focused on each one’s ability to secure for himself all that he can, based on his own ability and for his own use.
The kingdom economy acknowledges that all is God’s and is made graciously and generously available to us through our diligent labor to accomplish his purposes in blessing our families and the family of God! If we are faithful in working “as unto the Lord”, and in giving the first fruits to the Lord, he will meet our needs and give us a spirit of generosity to meet the needs of others, too. THIS is the riches of the glory of our inheritance in Christ that is stored and held in trust and in stewardship among his saints!
When a need arises with one, God has already made provision for the need to be met through resources that exist among his people. The key is to be in community, loving, serving, and celebrating one another, so that those resources can be
known and be made available. This isn’t “Socialism”, it’s family taking care of family. This is not government taking over families’ and communities’ responsibility TO one another in order to be responsible FOR all.
The operation of this kingdom economy accrues to God’s glory, our good, and others’ gain!