We all love to hear sermons and read books about God's blessings. It is true that God has a giving nature and we can draw help to learn more about it. But our walk with Christ is to move us from a life of "acquisition" to a life of "giving". Jesus allows this transition in us by replacing our worldly spirit with his own divine Spirit. He tells us, "You have been blessed and now you are supposed to give these blessings to others.

It's a glorious theology - but it may be the most difficult transition you'll ever make. A life that becomes easy to give a life is difficult - but so rewarding. Remember, Jesus blessed; Jesus broke ; Jesus gave. Often this process collapses in us after the first step - we do not go beyond the blessing part. We do not allow our lives to be broken before God, so we never do it to the last step. Therefore, many never see the complete fulfillment of God's purpose in them.

During the ministry of Christ, he performed many acts of giving, but the crowds stopped following him when he began to preach difficult truths. Even some of his disciples turned around and Jesus said to the twelve : "And you, do not you also want to go ?" (John 6:67). But Peter answered him : "Lord, to whom shall we go ? You have the words of eternal life" (6:68).

You see, when Jesus went from giving to demanding something from them, the disciples were forced to make a choice. Would they follow Jesus or retreat into their old lives where they would choose their own agenda ?

The order of the day that Jesus left to Peter was a commandment : "Feed my sheep." In fact, he said it three times (see John 21: 16-17). He said : "Peter, my people need help, so go to them, give them food, give your life for them."

Jesus commanded Peter to give a life and he does the same for us.

Gary Wilkerson