From time to time I think about the various Islamic "Beautiful Names" of God, and I was thinking about the one which means "The Expander" which is linked to a verse in the Quran that talks about God blessing those who lend to God, which in the Bible is a term for giving to the poor.
The idea of God expanding us brought to mind the Prayer of Jabez, which is tucked away in 1 Chronicles 4:10, and which very few people noticed until Bruce Wilkinson brought it to our attention in a best selling book back in 2000. "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request." (1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV)
In Proverbs 19:17, we read that "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done."
And Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38 NIV). For what it's worth, let me point out that he was NOT talking about giving to the church.
So this is a song that came to me as I was doing some long-distance driving around the country.
Blessings
You are so marvelous,
You are so grand.
You give us your blessings and
Allow us to expand.
You bless us so much
That your gifts overflow
And allow those around us
To flourish and grow.
O God, may Your gifts
Freely flow from my hands
And help those around me to
Grow and expand.
Your mercy and love
May I never hold back
'Til your bountiful kindness
Has healed every lack.
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