We live in a time of great abundance, where the basics of life are so well-provided that we rarely consider hunger, nakedness, and homelessness. Our possessions often overflow our homes, and we enjoy gadgets and conveniences that were unimaginable to previous generations. This abundance should provoke daily, heartfelt thankfulness, as our lives are blessed by God's oversight and providence. However, with these blessings comes a responsibility to use them in service to God, as exemplified by Hannah. Despite her personal struggles, she recognized that the blessings God gave her were to be used for His purposes. After receiving Samuel, she fulfilled her vow by dedicating him to God's service, demonstrating a willingness to give back her most precious possession. Hannah's actions and subsequent prayer of thanksgiving highlight a principle that God intends for His people to use His blessings in His service. When we do this, God multiplies our blessings, as He did for Hannah, rewarding her faithfulness with additional children and erasing her feelings of shame and worthlessness. Thus, we must not only be thankful for our blessings but also use them responsibly in service to God, following the example set by Hannah.

Blessings and responsibilities are intertwined in the narrative of the rich young ruler and the messages to the seven churches. The rich young ruler, possibly a leader in the Sanhedrin, was given wealth and authority as gifts from God. These gifts were meant to be used wisely and humbly, yet he trusted in his own good works and failed to follow Christ fully, highlighting the danger of coveting and not aligning one's actions with God's will. Similarly, the messages to the seven churches serve as a progressive warning about the subtle traps that can ensnare those blessed with spiritual and physical riches. The churches are reminded to maintain their initial zeal, resist compromise, and avoid corruption, as these can lead to spiritual death. The ultimate message is that all riches, whether physical or spiritual, are unearned gifts from God, given under His sovereign authority. These gifts are to be used humbly and in accordance with His will, not for personal gain or pride. The faithful must always be ready to use what they have been given with absolute humility, both now and into eternity, for the glory of God.

Brethren, we must recognize that harboring attitudes of worldly compromise, running close to the edge, focusing on others instead of on the Almighty God, or expecting blessings without full commitment will keep us from total dedication to Him. Such attitudes can lead us to spiritual death, as seen with Ananias and Sapphira. Yet, there is good news as we gather at the Feast of Tabernacles, for God ensures our protection from such failure if we observe the Feast as we should. God has blessed us beyond measure, instructing us to eat, drink, and rejoice with purpose during this Feast. This purpose is to spend time together recounting our personal blessings and challenges, sharing experiences with God and each other, and strengthening our faith and total commitment to His purpose. We come with our second tithe to the place where God has put His name, utterly destroying the false gods within ourselves. This week, we must carefully inventory every aspect of our lives over the past year to see if our commitment matches His in blessing us. We must ask ourselves if we reverence God above all other gods or if we are holding something back, for no other god is responsible for our blessings. God separates us from this world to keep His Feast, allowing us to recount what He has done and His commitment to us and His purpose. This is a time for examination, to look at ourselves and ensure we are not compromising with the world, running close to the edge, focusing on others rather than on God, or expecting blessings without full dedication. Our commitment must be of faith, which grows by seeing God's hand in everything. We are to learn from Israel's mistakes in the wilderness, repeating to each other the miracles of blessing and cursing in our lives, both good and bad, to bolster our belief. At the Feast of Tabernacles, we meticulously examine and renew our 100% commitment to God, trembling at His Word. This is a Feast of words, of sermons, songs of praise, and speaking and listening to each other and to the Great God as He gives us our marching orders. We must be fully committed, or we will falter. God takes a census of those He has separated from the world, setting them apart for specific responsibilities around His Tabernacle. At the end of this setting apart and the handing out of responsibilities, God commands a blessing to be pronounced on His people through the priests, as seen in Numbers 6:22-27: "The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." On the Last Great Day of the Feast, this blessing will be ministered to us, a reminder of God's commitment to His set-apart people. We must use this time wisely to ensure we are worthy of this blessing by being totally committed to our separation from this evil world and to the Great God.

Blessings and responsibilities are intertwined in our journey to imitate God. As we strive to be imitators of God, we are called to reflect His love through forgiveness, giving, and living a life of love. These actions are not just suggestions but essential responsibilities that come with the blessings we receive from God. We are blessed with the ability to experience sex within marriage, which is a gift from God that we should use to honor Him. This blessing comes with the responsibility to reject sexual immorality and impurity, ensuring that our actions align with God's standards. Material possessions are another blessing, and with them comes the responsibility to use them correctly. We must be content with what we have and share our blessings with others, recognizing that an increase in material things means an increase in responsibility. The ability to communicate truth through words is a blessing that we should not take for granted. We have the responsibility to avoid foolish talk and coarse joking, instead using our words to express thankfulness and to enlighten others as children of light. As we embrace these blessings, we must also fulfill our responsibilities by living a life that reflects God's love. This involves being forgiving, giving, and living actively in love, just as Christ did. By doing so, we prepare ourselves to stand with Christ upon His return and participate in the world becoming at one with God.

Christianity demands thoughtfulness, attention, and care in all aspects of life. God desires that we devote our entire hearts, souls, and minds to His way, applying His commandments continuously with great effort. As Solomon writes in Proverbs 19:16, keeping the commandments secures our souls and brings abundant life, while carelessness leads to death, both physical and spiritual. Therefore, we must constantly focus on God's way, ensuring our minds never wander from His path. In Titus 3:8, Paul emphasizes the need for believers to be careful and thoughtful in maintaining good works, using a strong Greek term that implies deep concentration and even anxiety over doing good. These good works, likely acts of service to others as exemplified by Jesus Christ, include offerings that facilitate essential needs and spread the gospel. Our tithes and offerings support the church's work, making possible outreach efforts and sustaining the community. God does not want us to give offerings perfunctorily; instead, He calls us to thoughtfully consider the blessings He has bestowed upon us and the needs our contributions can meet. As highlighted in Deuteronomy 16, we must reflect on where our blessings come from and where they go, participating actively in the church's work to ensure our resources are used effectively for the benefit of others. In Haggai 1:3-8, God urges us to consider our ways, questioning whether we prioritize personal comfort over His work. He correlates our participation in His mission with the blessings He grants, encouraging us to think constantly of ways to support the gospel and care for the flock. Our ultimate purpose is to bring pleasure and glory to Him through thoughtful contributions and offerings.