The Gifts of God: Temporal: All Good Things
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The concept of God's temporal gifts encompasses the blessings and provisions bestowed upon humanity during their earthly lives. These gifts, often referred to as "all good things," are seen as expressions of God's benevolence and care for His creation. The Bible provides numerous references to these temporal blessings, emphasizing that they are given by God for the sustenance and enjoyment of life.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently affirms that every good and perfect gift originates from God. James 1:17 states, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow." This verse underscores the belief that all beneficial things in life are divine gifts, reflecting God's unchanging nature and generosity.

Provision and Sustenance

God's provision for His people is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, the Israelites experienced God's temporal gifts through the provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4-15) and the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8). These instances highlight God's role as the provider of physical sustenance and abundance.

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about God's provision in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 6:31-33 records Jesus' words: "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." Here, Jesus reassures believers of God's awareness and provision for their needs, encouraging them to prioritize spiritual pursuits.

Enjoyment of Creation

The temporal gifts of God also include the enjoyment of creation. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 reflects on this aspect: "I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God." This passage suggests that finding joy and satisfaction in life's simple pleasures is part of God's design and a gift to be embraced.

Wealth and Prosperity

While the Bible acknowledges wealth and prosperity as potential temporal gifts, it also warns against the dangers of materialism and the love of money. Proverbs 10:22 states, "The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it." This verse implies that true prosperity comes from God's blessing, devoid of the sorrows that often accompany wealth pursued for its own sake.

Stewardship and Responsibility

With the reception of God's temporal gifts comes the responsibility of stewardship. Believers are called to manage these gifts wisely and generously. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 advises, "Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

Conclusion

The temporal gifts of God, encompassing all good things, are a testament to His love and provision for humanity. These gifts are to be received with gratitude, enjoyed responsibly, and shared generously, reflecting the character of the Giver.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 34:10
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 6:17
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.
... of produce, and whatever else there is of bodily and temporal goods, good ... is drowned
in blindness, and abuses all the good things and gifts of God only for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/i believe in god the.htm

Temporal Advantages.
... account of their spiritual peril, when they were no longer encompassed by temporal
trials ... It may be asked, "Are not these dangerous things the gifts of God? ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm

Of the Difference Between the Secret Friends and the Hidden Sons ...
... may come from without, yet they greatly value the gifts of God ... though their names
were written and known of God because of the temporal righteousness which ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter viii of the difference.htm

Of the Diverse Motions of Nature and of Grace
... loveth that her own deeds and gifts should be highly valued; but Grace seeketh nothing
temporal, nor requireth any other gift of reward than God alone; neither ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter liv of the diverse.htm

In which Also Concerning Exemplars.
... as Being, from the prior of His other gifts; for pre ... must call to mind the Word of
God, which says ... above time and eternity, and all things eternal and temporal. ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput v concerning beingin which.htm

The Fifty-Fourth Chapter: the Different Motions of Nature and ...
... It is very desirous of having its deeds and gifts highly regarded. Grace, however,
seeks nothing temporal, nor does she ask any recompense but God alone. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the fifty-fourth chapter the different.htm

On the Feast of a Holy virgin
... Whatever may be the gifts given her by God, He ... will be injured thereby, both in the
temporal and spiritual ... be a hundred times further advanced in God in real ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxiv on the feast.htm

Of Divers Gifts of God's Chosen: and How Saints Come to Love in ...
... likingly warm; and the mind, mirthed with gifts, waxes hot ... forgets his Beloved nor
bowing to temporal liking will ... that which forsooth ilk holy lover of God hates ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter vi of divers gifts.htm

On the Feast of St Andrew the Apostle
... divine nor pure; desiring to receive comfort or other temporal things, and to ... who
make light of and belittle all the gifts of God, as though God had never ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon i on the feast.htm

Whether the Old Law Should have Induced Men to the Observance of ...
... induced to do something, by means of little childish gifts. ... Law, their heart was
altogether fixed on temporal goods, and far removed from God, according to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law should 2.htm

Resources
Are the miraculous gifts of the Spirit for today? | GotQuestions.org

What are the spiritual gifts of the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge? | GotQuestions.org

Is there a biblical spiritual gifts list? | GotQuestions.org

Gifts: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Charism: An Inspired Gift, Bestowed on the Apostles and Early Christians

Charisma

Gifts

Gifts from God

Gifts from God: Spiritual: Christ, the Saviour

Gifts from God: Spiritual: Faith

Gifts from God: Spiritual: Grace

Gifts from God: Spiritual: Repentance

Gifts from God: Spiritual: Wisdom

Gifts from God: Temporal: All Creatures Partake of

Gifts from God: Temporal: Food and Raiment

Gifts from God: Temporal: Peace

Gifts from God: Temporal: Prayer For

Gifts from God: Temporal: Rain and Fruitful Seasons

Gifts from God: Temporal: should Cause Us to Remember God

Gifts from God: Temporal: To be Used and Enjoyed

Gifts from God: Temporal: Wisdom

Gifts from God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to Both Temporal and Spiritual

Gifts of Healing

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Gifts of God are Dispensed According to his Will

The Gifts of God are Free and Abundant

The Gifts of God: Acknowledge

The Gifts of God: All Blessings Are

The Gifts of God: Illustrated

The Gifts of God: Spiritual are Through Christ

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: A New Heart

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Christ the Chief of

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Eternal Life

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Faith

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Glory

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Grace

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Not Repented of by Him

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Peace

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Pray For

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Repentance

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Rest

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Righteousness

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Strength and Power

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: The Holy Spirit

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: To be Used for Mutual Profit

The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Wisdom

The Gifts of God: Temporal: All Creatures Partake of

The Gifts of God: Temporal: All Good Things

The Gifts of God: Temporal: Food and Raiment

The Gifts of God: Temporal: Life

The Gifts of God: Temporal: Peace

The Gifts of God: Temporal: Pray For

The Gifts of God: Temporal: Rain and Fruitful Seasons

The Gifts of God: Temporal: should Cause Us to Remember God

The Gifts of God: Temporal: To be Used and Enjoyed

The Gifts of God: Temporal: Wisdom

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The Gifts of God: Temporal: All Creatures Partake of
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