When I was a kid, I used to play a game called “hot potato.” The object of the game was to pass on what was passed to you as quickly as you could, without dropping it. If you dropped it or held on to it, you lost.
There is a spiritual principle in this that can be seen in Exodus chapter 35. Everything needed to build the tabernacle (the place of God’s presence) had already been given to them by God. God provided all the materials needed through the Egyptians before they left Egypt. (Ex. 12:35-36) Even the skill needed to make things from all this material was given to them by God. (Ex. 35:31,34-35.) They just needed to give it all back to God.
The bottom line is this: God freely gives us everything we need to do everything He wants us to do. (James 1:17) (2 Peter 1:3) But the key ingredient is something that only we can provide…a willingness to give back what He has given. (Ex. 35:5,21,26,29.)
God’s complete provision, coupled with our complete willingness to give, produces accomplishments which further His presence and glory where we are…and in the world at large.
Jesus told His disciples, “Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt. 10:8) If we are to foster the presence and glory of God in our lives and in the world, we must freely give what God has given us.
You have been given everything you need to do all God wants you to do. The question is…are you willing to give it away?
Bret Legg is the Teaching and Counseling Pastor at Warren Baptist Church in Augusta, GA.