"All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver[a] and a gold ring."
Job 42:11 (NIV)
The beginning of the book of Job tells us in detail how Satan robbed Job of his possessions and his children and his health, but the end of Job is lacking in any details regarding the restoration of Job’s health and family.
It does however give us detail about how Job’s possessions were restored, for it tells us that people came to eat with him, comforting him, consoling him and each one giving him money.
I visualize this happening in groups of people, coming to him, eating with him and blessing him with a financial gift before they leave.
Notice that the LORD is named for the troubles Job had, though his troubles came to him through Satan using human enemies, nature and sickness.
Notice in verse 12 that the LORD is named for the riches Job accumulates in the later part of his life, even though it is the people who gave Job the start up money.
Please take particular notice that each one who came to console and comfort gave money.
Many of us when we console in groups are content to let others give money, we think to our selves that there has been enough given.
But these relatives and friends of Job each contributed themselves, and it appears from the text that the contributions were the same size.
God works through people, it is God’s work to bless those who trust Him as they go through their troubles and He has chosen to use you and me as the means to bless them.
James tells us not to speak nice words of comfort to people without doing something tangible to help them in their need - he calls it a lack of faith on our part - dead faith actually.
Faith that is real and love that is real, makes us reach into our wallets and give money to those who have had trouble.
Who doesn’t see the beauty in what is described in this verse?
Let us be willing to be used by God in such a beautiful way.
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