Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "resource" can be understood as anything that God provides to sustain, support, and enable His people to fulfill His purposes. Resources can be material, spiritual, or relational, and they are often seen as blessings from God, entrusted to individuals and communities for stewardship and service.
Material ResourcesMaterial resources in the Bible include land, wealth, food, and other physical provisions. The Promised Land, for example, was a significant resource given to the Israelites, described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (
Exodus 3:8). This land was not only a place of sustenance but also a symbol of God's covenant and faithfulness.
Wealth and possessions are also considered resources. In
Deuteronomy 8:18 , it is written, "But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is today." This verse highlights the belief that material wealth is a resource granted by God, meant to be used in accordance with His will.
Spiritual ResourcesSpiritual resources are the gifts and graces provided by God to empower believers in their faith and ministry. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate spiritual resource, given to guide, comfort, and empower Christians. In
Acts 1:8 , Jesus tells His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
The Bible itself is a spiritual resource, offering wisdom, guidance, and revelation. As stated in
2 Timothy 3:16-17 , "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."
Relational ResourcesRelationships are another form of resource in the biblical narrative. The community of believers, or the Church, is a vital resource for mutual support, encouragement, and accountability.
Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts believers, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Family is also a significant relational resource. The Bible emphasizes the importance of family as a foundational unit for teaching and nurturing faith.
Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
Stewardship of ResourcesThe Bible consistently teaches that resources, whether material, spiritual, or relational, are to be stewarded wisely and used for God's glory. In the Parable of the Talents (
Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrates the importance of using one's resources effectively and responsibly. The servants who invest and multiply their master's resources are commended, while the one who buries his talent is rebuked.
Generosity is a key aspect of stewardship. Believers are encouraged to share their resources with those in need, as seen in
2 Corinthians 9:7 : "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver."
In summary, resources in the Bible encompass a wide range of provisions from God, intended to be used for His purposes and the benefit of others. They are a testament to God's provision and a call to faithful stewardship.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) That to which one resorts or on which one depends for supply or support; means of overcoming a difficulty; resort; expedient.
2. (n.) Pecuniary means; funds; money, or any property that can be converted into supplies; available means or capabilities of any kind.
Greek
1820. exaporeo -- to be utterly at a loss, be in despair... be in despair. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exaporeo Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-ap-or-eh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I am utterly without
resource, am in
...639. aporeo -- to be at a loss, be perplexed
... prefix) and poros (a way,resource) Definition to be at a loss, be perplexed NASB
Word Usage am perplexed (1), being at a loss (1), loss (1), perplexed (3)....
Library
"My Times are in Thy Hand"
... At such a time he used the bestresource of grief; for he says in verse 14, "But
I trusted in thee, O Lord." He had no other refuge but that which he found in...
Jesus the Bread of Life.
... meagrely furnished and meagrely conceiving disciples, meagre in food and meagre
in faith, are set in contrast to the calm faith and infiniteresource of Jesus....
The Road to Pella
... love was the spoil of another. All instinct became alert; all his intelligence
andresource assembled to his aid. It came to him as...
"Example of Life and Instruction of Manners. "
... As a man of greatresource he rapidly adapts himself to fresh conditions.
(d) Endurance of persecution for righteousness' sake....
Letter vii. You are Now, My Dear Friend, in Possession of My Whole...
... But even this failed to satisfy; and what was the finalresource"the doctrine of
those who would not be called a Protestant Church, but in which doctrine the...
The Ideal of To-Day
... What has been theresource of the Christian intellect against that mystery of evil
which baffled the questioner in the book of Job, and drove Lucretius to...
Letter vi. --Fear of Wasting Time.
... were enriched, you can and ought to say: "My God, I will all that You will and for
as long as it pleases You." "But," you will say, "whatresource shall I have...
The Exile Continued.
... and many a fight. It was a dangerousresource to trust himself in Gath,
with Goliath's sword dangling in his belt. But he may have...
The Follies of the Wise
... There were courage, fertility ofresource, a clear insight into what was the right
thing to do. There was a wise adaptation of means to an end....
On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. vi. 19, "Lay not up for...
... saith he, "and knoweth not for whom he doth gather it." See then, this man, that
is the whole human race represented as one man, who is withoutresource in his...
Thesaurus
Resource (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Resource (1 Occurrence). Job 6:13 Isn't it that I have
no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me? (See RSV).
...Resounds (2 Occurrences)
Resources (5 Occurrences)
Resort (14 Occurrences)
... haunt. 7. (v.) That to which one resorts or looks for help;resource; refuge.
Multi-Version Concordance Resort (14 Occurrences)....
Doubt (49 Occurrences)
... The first means "to be withoutresource," "utterly at a loss," "nonplussed"; and
the second, "to judge diversely." For the first, see John 13:22 Acts 2:12 the...
Beauty (98 Occurrences)
... of the priests that were to minister in the worship of Yahweh in the ceremonies
described, as given in Exodus 25, to see that everyresource of Israel was...
Back (5096 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back
of a knife, or of a saw. 9. (n.) A support orresource in reserve. 10....
Armorbearer (11 Occurrences)
... a sword himself and fell upon it (1 Samuel 31:4). David became Saul's armor-bearer
for a time, and Jonathan's armor-bearer was a man ofresource and courage (1...
Available (2 Occurrences)
... one may avail one's self of; capable of being used for the accomplishment of a purpose;
usable; profitable; advantageous; convertible into aresource; as, an...
Armor-bearer (15 Occurrences)
... a sword himself and fell upon it (1 Samuel 31:4). David became Saul's armor-bearer
for a time, and Jonathan's armor-bearer was a man ofresource and courage (1...
Resources
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