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

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of temporal gifts from God encompasses the blessings and provisions given to humanity for use and enjoyment during earthly life. These gifts, while temporary, are intended to be received with gratitude and stewarded wisely, reflecting God's generosity and care for His creation.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible affirms that God is the source of all good gifts, including those that are temporal. 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 divine origin of all blessings, emphasizing God's unchanging nature in His generosity.

Purpose and Use

Temporal gifts are meant to be enjoyed and used responsibly. Ecclesiastes 5:19 highlights this purpose: "Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God." Here, the enjoyment of material blessings is portrayed as a divine gift, encouraging contentment and joy in one's labor and possessions.

Stewardship and Responsibility

While temporal gifts are to be enjoyed, they also come with the responsibility of stewardship. 1 Timothy 6:17-18 instructs, "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." This passage emphasizes the importance of using temporal gifts to do good, be generous, and share with others, reflecting God's character.

Contentment and Gratitude

The enjoyment of temporal gifts is closely linked to contentment and gratitude. Philippians 4:11-12 illustrates the Apostle Paul's perspective: "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need." Contentment, regardless of one's material circumstances, is a key aspect of enjoying God's temporal gifts.

Warnings Against Misuse

Scripture also warns against the misuse of temporal gifts. In Luke 12:15 , Jesus cautions, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." This warning highlights the danger of allowing material blessings to become idols or sources of greed, detracting from their intended purpose.

Conclusion

The temporal gifts of God are a testament to His provision and love for humanity. They are to be received with gratitude, enjoyed responsibly, and used to further His kingdom purposes. Through wise stewardship and contentment, believers can honor God with the blessings He has entrusted to them.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 3:13
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 5:19,20
Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 4:4,5
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Sons of God
... of God's works, not simply of God's gifts, but of ... of his riches,"the unsearchable
riches of God in Christ ... her with all his goods, both temporal and eternal. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the sons of god.htm

The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted.
... a great deal of your time; abusing the gifts of God's ... thou wouldst not have dared
to treat a temporal prince as ... against him?" (Isa.1:2) Did not God "take you ...
/.../chapter iv the sinner arraigned.htm

Tenth Sunday after Trinity Spiritual Counsel for Church Officers.
... No one who recognizes even temporal blessings would give an eye, or a less ... wrought
of man's ability or skill, but are the offices, gifts and works of God. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/tenth sunday after trinity spiritual.htm

Of Christian Liberty.
... arrogance, that they may use the gifts of God ... breadth from the command of God, that
on ... inappropriate names of spiritual and temporal jurisdiction, intimating ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of christian liberty.htm

On God's vineyard
... once a quarter, in some central place, to give an account of the spiritual and temporal
state of ... Used the gifts on each bestow'd,. Temper'd by the art of God. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 107 on gods vineyard.htm

The Blessing of God.
... loving words, loving embraces, or loving gifts instinctively follow. ... it includes
every form of blessing, temporal as well ... The various names of GOD are all full ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part ii the blessing of.htm

City of God
... Their Worshipping Among the Gods the Divine Gifts Themselves ... But Also in Connection
with Temporal Prosperity, Because ... to Man, and What to Live According to God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

A Plain Description of the Essence and Attributes of God, Out of ...
... This name teacheth us, that all the gifts which we ... offer to him and his chosen; and
when God will punish ... and severity, then it is termed wrath, temporal to the ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/a plain description of the.htm

"Give Ye them to Eat"
... desires us to recognize Him in His gifts, that they ... In Christ's act of supplying
the temporal necessities of a ... If the work be of God, He Himself will provide ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 39 give ye them.htm

Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... loco cit.) that they have cast away abundance of temporal good"that they contemplate ...
and blood on the altar, to frame prayers, and bless the gifts of God. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm