Hearing, Hoarding, and Doing

2nd Peter 1 says this:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

God is calling and challenging us to be partakers of the divine nature, not to merely learn, know, or receive, but to apply and then to act.   In this consumer culture, it's so very easy to go to church, to read God's word, even to listen to Faith Radio, and receive knowledge.   But the Lord is calling us to take what we have learned, use those principles to grow in Christ, and to reach out and impact others in His name.

Some words of encouragement now from 1st Corinthians chapter 8 about applying knowledge and growing in Christ.
1bWe know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.  
3 But whoever loves God is known by God.

The second season of Secret Millionaire premiered this past Sunday.  That's the ABC series where people of wealth go into the areas where those less fortunate live and reach out with charitable actions.   It began last year with the story of Dani Johnson, who, in an interview with The Christian Post, summarized her life into four major points: she grew up on welfare, became pregnant at 17, was homeless by 21 and became a millionaire by 23.

When the offer for “Secret Millionaire,” came to her, she refused to participate in the show four times because to her, giving to charities had always been done in secret.

While fighting the offer, she said she “came to the revelation that I was fighting God and that God was the one to open up the door and it was clear that He wanted this message to get out there.”

12.6 million viewers watched that first episode last year, and it was rebroadcast this past Saturday night before the season opener on Sunday.   I think Dani Johnson is a great example of someone who has been blessed by the Lord, and in the name of Christ, wants to use what she has been given to bless and strengthen the lives of others.

And, I think when we are blessed or we accomplish something in our lives, we are to be quick to give the credit to God - and to give to others as He directs.   This week, interestingly enough, I have 3 guests who have been successful in the corporate culture, but do not want to hoard their financial and/or spiritual resources, but are devoted to giving back.   

Take Diane Paddison, for instance - successful in the field of commercial real estate, but willing to take what she has learned and use it to equip and encourage young professional Christian women through her ministry, 4Word.

There's Joel Manby, successful auto industry executive, coming up on the Wednesday show - he was featured on Undercover Boss, and as people saw the corporate culture of love in his current employer - true acts of love, putting others first - that was present in his company, people responded.

And, Michael Hyatt, who started a blog to motivate his employees at a large Christian publisher, and aggressively communicated those principles to a wider audience - he is now one of the most popular Christian bloggers.

So, are you a spiritual hoarder?   Or do you use what you've been given by the Lord to grow in love for Him and bless other people...The Bible reminds us that knowledge puffs up, and you may have gained quite a bit of spiritual knowledge - God calls us to apply what He has taught us to deepen our relationship with Him.   And, as God has loved us and we grow in our love for God, I believe He directs to give it away, as we minister to others and fulfill His purpose for us.   Don't hoard what God has granted to you.