''People don't value what they get free''.
I presume you must have heard that said or even said it yourself. I have found this true but it is dependent on the wisdom, insight, or discernment of the individual (receiver). Some people do show appreciation for 'free' gifts.
The Lord gives us so many things freely to enjoy. But as others have noted with slogans such as:
''Salvation is free but not cheap'' [referring to YHWH's payment by the sacrifice of his only son to buy us back from sin and death] and '' The Gospel is free but not cheap'' [alluding to the time, effort, and production costs in translating, printing, and distributing the Bible and other teaching materials]'; for everything you get free, someone else is paying.
Appreciation is key.
Mankind was created with the covering of the presence of the glory of God and placed in his abundant provision (the Garden of Eden), however, they did not appreciate the enormity and value of what they had till they lost it. ''Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together to make themselves loincloths.'' Genesis 3:7 CJB
The humans were always naked but the glory of God had been their covering/canopy - a protection they took for granted. This glory disappeared and then they realized that they were naked. We are only without a covering when the glory of God has departed, then we have to make do with much lower quality.
Isaiah 4:5 in the NIV translation says, ''Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy.''
In the ERV, it is rendered: ''Then the Lord will create a cloud of smoke in the day and a bright flame of fire at night over every building and over every meeting of the people on the mountain of Zion. And there will be a covering over everyone for protection.''
The glory of God covers his people.
His presence is our beauty and protection, His words our insight.
Had Adam valued the glory of the covering of God, and the completeness and abundance of the provision placed at his disposal, he would not have handled it so casually. He wouldn't have let all that go to get something less. An appreciation of the perfection of the presence of God and the privilege of fellowship with his word(s) removes the lust for any wisdom or knowledge of 'good' and 'evil' that comes through disobedience.
The Lord has been good to us in these last days. He has (and is continually) causing Knowledge to increase and insight to come to his people, however, he will not tolerate a lackadaisical handling of his treasures. As Jesus himself said, ''Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.'' Matthew 7:6
The words of God in scripture and prophecy are precious. The presence of God that surrounds Zion (the body of Believers), is priceless: appreciation is key.
To see these:
In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and peoples will stream to it.
Many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Micah 4:1-2
We must appreciate the enormity of the privilege of these:
'' and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’ Zechariah 2: 4-5
as buttressed by these:
Ezekiel 47:1- ''The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar.
9 Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.10 Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea.11 But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”
In other words, seeing...
1. The third temple, i.e. the body of God's household (see my previous writings and talks on this), established as the authority it is designed to be, and
2. All people hunger to learn about YHWH the God of gods,
depends, to a large extent, on us greatly valuing and honouring…
1. The perfection of the presence of the Spirit of YHWH that envelopes and surrounds the Assembly of believers.
2. The diversity of biblical gifts and richness of the multitude (brought) within that assembly.
3. The completeness and abundance of his provision (e.g. insight, life, ability, wholeness, etc.) placed at our disposal.
Taking what we have loosely or developing an unappreciative (arrogant) sense of entitlement would make us vulnerable to the sin of Adam or the error of Esau who despised his birthright (his rights as the first-born son), selling it for a pot of stew (immediate gain).
''...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded...'' Luke 12:48b
[ Further study: Luke 7:36 -50, 2 Peter 1]
'' Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.'' ''Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.''
2 Peter 1:1-4, 10-11
P.S
Please support the work of those who build the Church by soul-winning and those who help us appreciate who we are in Christ and encourage us to hold onto our rights and provisions in YHWH.
I know of these beneficial programs coming up tomorrow, kindly show your support in every way. As you do, you contribute to the strengthening of Christ's Body.
GOD LOVES YOU TOUR: LONDON
Saturday the 26th of August (tomorrow) at the ExCeL London, Franklin Graham delivers the Good News of Jesus Christ to the United Kingdom. 6 PM
And
GLOBAL MIRACLE FAITH SEMINAR
Saturday 26th August 2023 (12 p.m. GMT+1)
Global Miracle Faith Seminar is a faith, healing, and follow-up online program for all who have been impacted by the healing ministry, of Pastor Chris. https://healingstreams.tv/gmfs
www.pastorchrisonline.org
Kindly contact me using the contact form if you want me to know about other helpful events.
The success of one is the success of the whole.
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