Inspired by lyrics by Jana Stanfield:
I give and serve in love, so I always have more than enough of all that I need to do all I can do and to be all I can be.
Compared to where we were, we’ve come all this far. Let us spend the day enjoying where we are.
We learn to give generously and to receive gratefully.
We take a quick look back at dreams of yesterday – dreams of living the life that we live today.
We no longer spend so much time wanting so much more when there’s plenty here for us all to be thankful for.
As I go through this day, this is my creed: I have more than enough of all that I need. I fearlessly pay the full asking price and I always have more than enough of all that I need.
Responsive Reading for Sunday, April 15
Responses inspired by “More than Enough” by Jana Stanfield
“When the whole Israelite community left Moses’ presence, everyone, as his heart suggested and his spirit prompted, brought a contribution to the LORD for the construction of the meeting tent, for all its services . . . . [and many came] whose hearts moved them to come and take part in the work . . . there was already enough at hand, in fact, more than enough, to complete the work to be done” (Exodus 35:20, 36:7).
I give and serve in love, so I always have more than enough of all that I need to do all I can do and to be all I can be.
Jacob brought gifts to his brother, Esau, who had once been very angry with Jacob for cheating him. As the years passed, they both grew wiser. When they met again, Esau at first refused to accept the gifts, saying, “I have plenty. . . you should keep what is yours, brother.’ . . . But Jacob pleaded, ‘Do accept the present I have brought you; God has been generous toward me, and I have an abundance.’ Since he so urged him, Esau accepted” (Genesis 33:8-10).
Compared to where we were, we’ve come all this far. Let us spend the day enjoying where we are. We learn to give generously and to receive gratefully.
“When [a man’s younger son] had freely spent everything [of his share of his father’s estate], a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need . . . . Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father . . .’ His older brother was jealous and pouted when he heard that their father was preparing a big party to celebrate the little brother’s return; but the father “said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours” (Luke 15:14-18, 31).
We take a quick look back at dreams of yesterday – dreams of living the life that we live today. We no longer spend so much time wanting so much more when there’s plenty here for us all to be thankful for.
“Then the Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap him in speech . . . . saying . . . Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?’ . . . Jesus said, ‘ . . . Show me the coin that pays the census tax.’ Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, ‘Whose image is this and whose inscription?’ They replied, ‘Caesar's.’ At that he said to them, ‘Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.’ When they heard this they were amazed, and leaving him they went away” (Mt. 17:25-7; 22:15-22).
As I go through this day, this is my creed: I have more than enough of all that I need.
I fearlessly pay the full asking price and I always have more than enough of all that I need.