Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Pastors’ Column – 02/22/10



Growing up in a family with four boys born within five years, this comment was not usually heard at the dinner table. What was put in front of us was inhaled shortly after the final syllable of prayer was heard.

It was a different story, however, when we had the opportunity to go alone to our grandparents’ homes for a visit. I don’t know if Grandma thought we really could eat that much, or if the practice of making food for an army was just normal for them, but in either case, there was always more to be eaten after the first plateful.

“Surely, you must still be hungry!” was an unparalleled conflict for me. Sure, I wanted more, and Grandma felt a certain validation for providing for me. But in the back of my mind was my Dad saying, “Make sure you mind your manners!” I loved the attention, but later maybe felt a little bit of guilt for overindulging at their expense. I could sure see their love for me!

These memories bring me to a Biblical principal. We have a Heavenly Father who desires nothing more than that we overindulge in Him and His bounty. Psalms 24:1 says this, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.”

Everything that we see around us is God’s and He desires that we enjoy it. If we believe that God loves us as His children, then we also need to believe that He wants us to be happy.

When it comes to God’s blessings, there is a familiar verse in Malachi that expresses this well. Chapter 3, verse 10, says: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this,’’ says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

When we are obedient to give the Lord His portion (not just monetarily, by the way), He promises to bless us to a measure of overflowing – now that’s overindulgence!

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Eph 3:20-21).

Even our own mind can’t conceive the riches of His bounty toward us. There are so many verses that speak directly to the riches of God’s blessing for His children; it would take pages to mention them all.

One scenario that sums up this kind of desire for more is found in the Gospel of John, Chapter 13:7-9: “Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.’’

Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!’’ Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’’ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!’’

When Peter realized that being washed brought him closer to Christ, he went all the way and asked for as much as he could get. He wanted as much of Jesus as he was allowed – his love for Jesus moved him with a passion that was uncontrolled.

So, do you want more?

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