FRUITFUL - From the HEART

Acts 16:14-15

One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.

She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

When the church began, missioners did not care about earthly wealth, fame or glory. The followed the example of the Lord Christ Jesus who said:

Luke 9:57-58

As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

Yet He never lacked anything or worried about where to sleep, remember Christ taught us:

Matthew 6:25,31-32

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’

These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

It was a pure life of faith, this also was the way the prophets of old lived.

In the midst of it all there were wealthy people who made sure that prophets were well taken care of. When Christ walked the earth, wealthy people were among those who believed and they also gave. Recall that His tomb was provided by a wealthy man who believed:

Matthew 27:58-60

went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.

Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth.

He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.

We also have examples of people like Zacchaeus.

Lydia in our text for today, was a rich woman who dealt in purple linen. She accepted the message of salvation and immediately she saw the responsibility due her as a result of her financial status:

Acts 16:14

One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.

She immediately took up responsibility:

Acts 16:15

She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

This is service from the heart. Many who have become believers may not be wealthy, and they pray day and night for wealth, NOT having in mind that wealth is a responsibility and not just for pleasure, self esteem or relevance.

The truth is that if your heart is NOT in the Lord you will not take up your responsibility faithfully. For you don't wait to be compelled, praised or repremanded to do the work of the Lord. For we serve the Lord Christ.

No one is left idle in the kingdom business every believer has a role and this Christ instructs when He says:

John 15:5,8

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

For if you are His, you must bear fruit and your fruit must abide.

I AM A FRUITFUL VINE.

Glory to God.

He calls us Blessed.

Love

@the watcher