While watching birds eating at my birdfeeder, I realized something about myself. The birds were jockying with each other to get the food they liked. Cardinals, Finches, Redwing Blackbirds, all vying for the same perch to get the tasty sunflower seeds. Each bird chasing the other away as they tried to get their meal. Bluebirds pounced on finches, finches crowded each other off the perch all desperate to get seed as if the seed were scarce and going to disappear. At no point did they understand that I provided the seed and that I would always replenish the feeders so they would all be satisfied.
That’s when I realized I treated the many blessings from God the same way. I struggle in life to get my fair share and even occasionally seek to put myself before another so I get the recognition or gifts I think I deserve. Rarely do I recognize the source of all these gifts. All I have I owe to God. I gather all I can as if His gifts were scarce. In truth, God’s blessings couldn’t be further from that.
God gives me gifts of skills, abilities and resources. When I use those gifts for His glory, He blesses me even more with joy and peace. God’s economy is not of scarcity but of abundance. Just like the birds, I focus on getting my fair share but don’t spend proper time blessing the giver.
I don’t expect the birds to come to the window and bow to me in thanks, but I think I, made in God’s image, should acknowledge the true giver of gifts and offer my thanks. Thank you, Lord.
https://www.biblehub.com/nasb/luke/12.htm
Luke 12:24“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! 25“And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? 26“If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? 27“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 28“But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! 29“And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. 30“For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. 31“But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.