I’ve observed that most churches seem to hold up marriage as the epitome of Christian-dom. And why shouldn’t they? Statistically, married church attendees are the majority and put more into the coffers. If these married folks have children then they’re even more vested in the church because their kids are heavily involved in the children’s ministries (particularly if they have friends in the church). This is obvious by the investment churches make in children’s ministries and marriage seminars and the like. Single people definitely have a tendency to move around a lot and so their participation (both physically and financially) is more temporary, that is unless they get married. There seems to be this pervasive attitude, taken by most churches that singles need to be fixed through marriage. So, it seems as though even the single’s ministries are designed around marriage.
Committing to attending the same church every Sunday morning and giving $10 doesn’t make a Christian. Marriage is an institution, a lifetime commitment made between a man and a woman, before the Almighty, to reflect the eternal commitment Jesus Christ has made with his bride the church. Now of course, again, most people or church leaders wouldn’t say they believe marriage saved anyone. Only Jesus saves! Proclaiming this with the mouth and acting this belief out are two different things. Now I believe it’s extreme to say church actions support a belief that marriage performs the same function as Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. I don’t believe this; however, realistically I do believe that most churches at least place marriage at the same level as say, baptism, in the spiritual order of things.
Pay close attention here, life is absolutely not about marriage and good friends! This is a very common misconception believed by many Americans, inside and outside of the church. It’s certainly pushed in every holiday movie or show on TV and rarely addressed in the church as unbiblical. As Christians it is vitally important that we hold firmly that life is about Jesus Christ alone. You see we were not made for fellowship with man, but fellowship with God. Our fellowship with and love for man should spring from our love for God. This is a more true love. Anything else is nothing more then selfish ambition.
Luke 14:25-27
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Are you looking for answers and fulfillment from man, who is woefully insufficient to the task? A wife will never be able to provide you with the ability to thwart depression and lust through her love and encouragement to you. She will be your helpmate, friend, lover and sister in Christ, nothing more. Likewise no brother or friend could ever provide you with the wisdom and leadership you’re looking for. To have such high expectations from people is to put such a strain on them, as you discover their inability to provide you with what you’re looking for, that the relationship may very well fail. Ultimately you’ll react towards your loved ones with anger, resentment and disappointment and this will only further Satan’s desire to isolate you from fellowship. Godly fellowship, especially with a spouse, is never about self, it’s always about the other person. I promise you that if you truly start to adopt this perspective you’ll find that fellowship will become much easier & fulfilling and your future spouse will more naturally enter into your life or it will become much less of a struggle for your spouse to love and respect you.
John 3:29-31
"He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice So this joy of mine has been made full. "He must increase, but I must decrease. "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth He who comes from heaven is above all.
Though I’m against marriage being set up as any kind of an idol, I do believe single men and women should be groomed for marriage from childhood. However, I believe this grooming process to simply be to raise our children to love others in Christ and seek out a passionate relationship with Jesus in love. I believe through this they will be more open and mature enough to enter into a godly relationship with a man or woman.
Matthew 6:33
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
Gracious judgment
It seems as though most Christians I know fall into one of two categories: 1. The nice, but wimpy Christian who lacks any kind of backbone, but will gossip about others (behind their backs) or 2. The nice (when you’re on their good side) but ungracious & cruel (when you’re not) Christians. Neither category is very Christian, and both are fairly judgmental towards others. Once again this only proves God’s point, concerning total depravity, in Romans 3:10-18. Honestly I’d have to say I’d fall more into category #2.
Christians seem to do a much better job of following Paul’s teaching in:
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.
Then following:
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Christians seem to always take the lazy or easy way out. The wimpy Christians would rather do nothing and say “God will take care of him or her”. The harsh Christians would rather slap the sinner in the face, excommunicate them and that’s it. No follow up, forgiveness, grace or love. “That’s someone else’s job”.
Why don’t we know how to handle confrontation, admonishment or accountability? It seems to me the church has no idea how to handle these issues, even though the Bible teaches at length how to apply these topics. Per a very quick glance at the Bible I can find out: Why admonish? Nehemiah 9:26 & Colossians 1:28, How? Colossians 3:16. Always in love, never for selfish motivations or out of fear.
Restore your brother, for you are your brother’s keeper:
Luke 17:3-4
So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."
Matthew 23:23
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Let none of us forget the betrayal of Peter, who denied Jesus not once, but 3 times. Yet the Lord Himself forgave and restored Peter and used him mightily for the advancement of the kingdom.
So yes, there is a time to confront and admonish a brother or sister, but this by no means raises any of us above them. Only God is above.
John 8:4,5,7,10,11
"Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
In these verses the woman is first confronted with her sin. Then Jesus forgives her. Finally, Jesus instructs her to leave her life of sin.
Christians need to be firm and unyielding about standing by the truth of scripture, yet loving in its application. Christains need to show more grace to their brothers and sisters because the Father forgives our sins. Otherwise we're no better then the wicked servant, who after his master forgives his huge debt, beats a fellow servant until he repays an insignificant debt.
Admonishment should be done first for the glory of Jesus Christ, second for the protection of the church and third for the spiritual benefit of the offender, never with selfish motivations, but always in love, forgiveness and grace.
Christians seem to do a much better job of following Paul’s teaching in:
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.
Then following:
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Christians seem to always take the lazy or easy way out. The wimpy Christians would rather do nothing and say “God will take care of him or her”. The harsh Christians would rather slap the sinner in the face, excommunicate them and that’s it. No follow up, forgiveness, grace or love. “That’s someone else’s job”.
Why don’t we know how to handle confrontation, admonishment or accountability? It seems to me the church has no idea how to handle these issues, even though the Bible teaches at length how to apply these topics. Per a very quick glance at the Bible I can find out: Why admonish? Nehemiah 9:26 & Colossians 1:28, How? Colossians 3:16. Always in love, never for selfish motivations or out of fear.
Restore your brother, for you are your brother’s keeper:
Luke 17:3-4
So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."
Matthew 23:23
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Let none of us forget the betrayal of Peter, who denied Jesus not once, but 3 times. Yet the Lord Himself forgave and restored Peter and used him mightily for the advancement of the kingdom.
So yes, there is a time to confront and admonish a brother or sister, but this by no means raises any of us above them. Only God is above.
John 8:4,5,7,10,11
"Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
In these verses the woman is first confronted with her sin. Then Jesus forgives her. Finally, Jesus instructs her to leave her life of sin.
Christians need to be firm and unyielding about standing by the truth of scripture, yet loving in its application. Christains need to show more grace to their brothers and sisters because the Father forgives our sins. Otherwise we're no better then the wicked servant, who after his master forgives his huge debt, beats a fellow servant until he repays an insignificant debt.
Admonishment should be done first for the glory of Jesus Christ, second for the protection of the church and third for the spiritual benefit of the offender, never with selfish motivations, but always in love, forgiveness and grace.
Friday, March 24, 2006
An article about a godly woman
Click on the title of this posting, if you'd like to read an article one of my brothers wrote about our mother.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
A snake in sheep's clothing
Just because someone claims to be a Christian doesn't mean they are. An obvious statement, perhaps, but not one fully acknowledge. There are plenty of snakes in sheep's clothing. Plenty of people who have adopted the Christain lifestyle because they can achieve the perceived acceptance they've always desired or the respect for their intellect they've always desired or the higher status they've always desired. It is true the church provides a possible road to success which the flesh can relish in. Only Jesus Christ can provide the road to eternal success.
You know what really concerns me? It's not homosexuals pushing their immoral agenda, though I am concerned. Neither is it Hollywood or liberal politicians pushing their immoral agendas, though I am concerned. These folks warrant some action, more love and lots of prayer, however, their agendas are fairly obvious. What really concerns me are these snakes in sheeps clothing. What concerns me is that they might be sitting next to me in church, leading me in worship or even folks I pray or break bread with.
John 5:39-43
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. “I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive
If you're not treating others with love, if you're not encouraging others towards good works in Jesus Christ, if you're not putting others above yourself, if you're not sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, then what are you doing? Are you studying the scripture for the same reason some people crash planes into buildings? Are you looking for a reason or purpose for our suffering and eventual death? Are you seeking this outside of Jesus Christ?
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
Titus 1:15-16
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.
2 Peter 2:1-3
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
Jude 1:4
For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Living in the bliss of America, it might be difficult to see this, but we are in the end days.
Case in point: Abdul Rahman, the Christian convert from Islam in Afghanistan. He has been sentenced to death for his conversion to Christianity. His wife, and possibly other friends and family turned him in.
Luke 12:51-53
"Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Matthew 10:16-17
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. "But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
Somthing to chew on: "None of us are good people who occassionally do bad things. We are all bad people who occassionally do good things" Andy Stanley.
You know what really concerns me? It's not homosexuals pushing their immoral agenda, though I am concerned. Neither is it Hollywood or liberal politicians pushing their immoral agendas, though I am concerned. These folks warrant some action, more love and lots of prayer, however, their agendas are fairly obvious. What really concerns me are these snakes in sheeps clothing. What concerns me is that they might be sitting next to me in church, leading me in worship or even folks I pray or break bread with.
John 5:39-43
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. “I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive
If you're not treating others with love, if you're not encouraging others towards good works in Jesus Christ, if you're not putting others above yourself, if you're not sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, then what are you doing? Are you studying the scripture for the same reason some people crash planes into buildings? Are you looking for a reason or purpose for our suffering and eventual death? Are you seeking this outside of Jesus Christ?
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
Titus 1:15-16
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.
2 Peter 2:1-3
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
Jude 1:4
For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Living in the bliss of America, it might be difficult to see this, but we are in the end days.
Case in point: Abdul Rahman, the Christian convert from Islam in Afghanistan. He has been sentenced to death for his conversion to Christianity. His wife, and possibly other friends and family turned him in.
Luke 12:51-53
"Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Matthew 10:16-17
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. "But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
Somthing to chew on: "None of us are good people who occassionally do bad things. We are all bad people who occassionally do good things" Andy Stanley.
About boundaries...
I recently learned a valuable lesson about boundaries:
Some things should be saved for intimate or personal moments, when God can use personal testimonies to encourage others, share hope and glorify Jesus Christ. Learning to discern these moments and boundaries is important. Also there are certain conversations best left to close friends.
We like to put each other in boxes taped up with our own expectations and wrapped up in the cellophane of who we think they are. This is why close friends and family are so important.
We humans will tend to see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear.
Quid est veritas ?
Proverbs 18:6-8
A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
Some things should be saved for intimate or personal moments, when God can use personal testimonies to encourage others, share hope and glorify Jesus Christ. Learning to discern these moments and boundaries is important. Also there are certain conversations best left to close friends.
We like to put each other in boxes taped up with our own expectations and wrapped up in the cellophane of who we think they are. This is why close friends and family are so important.
We humans will tend to see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear.
Quid est veritas ?
Proverbs 18:6-8
A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Issue of the week #2
I'd like to read other perspectives on the following topic. If possible please reference scripture, in context, to back up your belief.
Topic #2 the gift of giving:
Should we tell others how much we give? I haven't come to a firm conclusion on this topic as it has recently been introduced to me in a new light. It's been recently brought to my attention that sharing stories of giving to God can encourage others to do the same. During this same time it was also brought up that the church has been misrepresenting the truth about this by teaching that Christians should keep their giving between themselves and God.
1. How does this look?
A. If Christians should share stories of giving with others then when do we share? When don't we?
B. An increase in the awareness of personal wickedness needs to be addressed. The self/flesh always desires to promote itself and boast of it's importance and greatness. If we are to share, then accountability, as well as self-examination, becomes even more crucial.
2. Would sharing testimonies of sharing really encourage others to share? I've tried this a few times since hearing this new teaching. I felt as though I was boasting, even though I believe my intent was to encourage giving. My conclusion is that as long as Christ was glorified and those I shared with were more encourage to give, then this was good. However, if those who listened to me only thought I was boasting, or even worse, thought more highly of me, then I did more harm then good.
The following verses, in Matthew, this new teaching (new to me) purports as misinterpreted in most current church teachings:
Matthew 6:1-4
Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
An example of Paul sharing his giving:
1 Corinthians 9:1-18
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don't we have the right to food and drink? Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.
More boasting, with a purpose, from Paul:
2 Corinthians 11:7-12
Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
Though these two examples from Paul don't concern him actually giving money, they do represent him not taking support he deserves, giving of himself and taking support from other churches. The question is, as Christians, can we apply this boasting to encourage other believers towards good deeds? If yes then the application needs to be considered and thought out. Personally, I feel there are opportunities when it is appropriate to share testimonies of giving, but most of the time, at least in America, these opportunities will most likely be few and far between. Most of the time this sharing would most likely be boasting.
Topic #2 the gift of giving:
Should we tell others how much we give? I haven't come to a firm conclusion on this topic as it has recently been introduced to me in a new light. It's been recently brought to my attention that sharing stories of giving to God can encourage others to do the same. During this same time it was also brought up that the church has been misrepresenting the truth about this by teaching that Christians should keep their giving between themselves and God.
1. How does this look?
A. If Christians should share stories of giving with others then when do we share? When don't we?
B. An increase in the awareness of personal wickedness needs to be addressed. The self/flesh always desires to promote itself and boast of it's importance and greatness. If we are to share, then accountability, as well as self-examination, becomes even more crucial.
2. Would sharing testimonies of sharing really encourage others to share? I've tried this a few times since hearing this new teaching. I felt as though I was boasting, even though I believe my intent was to encourage giving. My conclusion is that as long as Christ was glorified and those I shared with were more encourage to give, then this was good. However, if those who listened to me only thought I was boasting, or even worse, thought more highly of me, then I did more harm then good.
The following verses, in Matthew, this new teaching (new to me) purports as misinterpreted in most current church teachings:
Matthew 6:1-4
Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
An example of Paul sharing his giving:
1 Corinthians 9:1-18
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don't we have the right to food and drink? Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.
More boasting, with a purpose, from Paul:
2 Corinthians 11:7-12
Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
Though these two examples from Paul don't concern him actually giving money, they do represent him not taking support he deserves, giving of himself and taking support from other churches. The question is, as Christians, can we apply this boasting to encourage other believers towards good deeds? If yes then the application needs to be considered and thought out. Personally, I feel there are opportunities when it is appropriate to share testimonies of giving, but most of the time, at least in America, these opportunities will most likely be few and far between. Most of the time this sharing would most likely be boasting.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Motivation
I just recently finished studying Zephaniah and I came across some scripture which struck me. It's in regards to God's fierce judgement upon the sinful. After reading these verses I thought of the love of money, the Great commission and the urgency and love we, as believers, should have in our lives for the lost.
The pertinent verses can be found in Zephaniah 1:14 - 2:3. However the verse which stuck out to me was:
Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD's wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth."
Difficult words to read? They challenged me to think about these words in light of the Great Commission, the love of money as the root of all kinds of evil and Jesus Christ's command to love thy neighbor as thyself (whether the family who lives next to me or the guy I sit next to at work or the guy I sit next to at church).
With regards to the Great Commission and loving thy neighbor as thyself, this doesn't just start oversees and I will go so far as to say it doesn't even begin after you leave the church building. It can start with the person you sit next to Sunday morning. It's not a compartmentalized aspect of Christianity, it's an active part of worshiping our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. You may never know what impact you could have on a person by simply thinking of someone other then yourself and sharing a kind word of encouragement, as you put their needs above your own. The byproduct, as proof we serve a gracious God, is that as we are obedient to do this (His revealed will) our problems and depressions diminish or rather our joy increases. We were never created to be that introspective, as this is far too self consuming. The Bible commands us to put the needs of others above our own (Philippians 2:3).
Application:
We all have a great opportunity to live this out within the confines of our church buildings. Although I feel we ought to also find ministries outside of the church. We ought to joyfully jump at the opportunities to serve the bretheren. I received an email from my church this past week asking for guys to help a sister in Christ move. I didn't know this sister, but I called her up, asked her if she could use my help, she said she didn't think so, I prayed with her and told her to call me if she needed the help. Well, she took me up on my offer the next day and though I'm glad she did and I helped joyfully, she shouldn't have had to. There should've been enough people there to help her out that she wouldn't have even had to think about calling me. As it was there were only 7 people there and only 4 of them were men and I was the only person there she didn't already know. This is a sad commentary.
Let the reader take this into serious consideration. We need to find our confidence & love in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone! I would challenge any person who doesn't express the love of Jesus Christ to the bretheren (as we are commanded), especially those in need and even more so our sisters, to take a long hard look into your heart. What we do in Christ, is significantly more important then what we say about Him. However, we all know what we do is seen by a few, whereas what we say or write can be seen or heard by many.
How are we fulfilling the first commandment if we aren't fulfilling the second? The bible teaches that you will know a Christain by their love. What is love?
Romans 12:9-21
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Galations 5:6,13-14
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
I Peter 1:13-25
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
Point #2:
The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). I feel it's accurate to say that most Americans hold up money as an idol, to one extent or another.
Application:
Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
The pertinent verses can be found in Zephaniah 1:14 - 2:3. However the verse which stuck out to me was:
Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD's wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth."
Difficult words to read? They challenged me to think about these words in light of the Great Commission, the love of money as the root of all kinds of evil and Jesus Christ's command to love thy neighbor as thyself (whether the family who lives next to me or the guy I sit next to at work or the guy I sit next to at church).
With regards to the Great Commission and loving thy neighbor as thyself, this doesn't just start oversees and I will go so far as to say it doesn't even begin after you leave the church building. It can start with the person you sit next to Sunday morning. It's not a compartmentalized aspect of Christianity, it's an active part of worshiping our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. You may never know what impact you could have on a person by simply thinking of someone other then yourself and sharing a kind word of encouragement, as you put their needs above your own. The byproduct, as proof we serve a gracious God, is that as we are obedient to do this (His revealed will) our problems and depressions diminish or rather our joy increases. We were never created to be that introspective, as this is far too self consuming. The Bible commands us to put the needs of others above our own (Philippians 2:3).
Application:
We all have a great opportunity to live this out within the confines of our church buildings. Although I feel we ought to also find ministries outside of the church. We ought to joyfully jump at the opportunities to serve the bretheren. I received an email from my church this past week asking for guys to help a sister in Christ move. I didn't know this sister, but I called her up, asked her if she could use my help, she said she didn't think so, I prayed with her and told her to call me if she needed the help. Well, she took me up on my offer the next day and though I'm glad she did and I helped joyfully, she shouldn't have had to. There should've been enough people there to help her out that she wouldn't have even had to think about calling me. As it was there were only 7 people there and only 4 of them were men and I was the only person there she didn't already know. This is a sad commentary.
Let the reader take this into serious consideration. We need to find our confidence & love in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone! I would challenge any person who doesn't express the love of Jesus Christ to the bretheren (as we are commanded), especially those in need and even more so our sisters, to take a long hard look into your heart. What we do in Christ, is significantly more important then what we say about Him. However, we all know what we do is seen by a few, whereas what we say or write can be seen or heard by many.
How are we fulfilling the first commandment if we aren't fulfilling the second? The bible teaches that you will know a Christain by their love. What is love?
Romans 12:9-21
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Galations 5:6,13-14
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
I Peter 1:13-25
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
Point #2:
The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). I feel it's accurate to say that most Americans hold up money as an idol, to one extent or another.
Application:
Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
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