Aticle I
LOVE OFFERINGS
A Preacher Once Told Me --
that he would be glad when the church treasury was completely depleted, so the people would be forced to be more liberal in their offerings. As for me, if someone must feel obligated before he will be liberal in his offerings, then he may as well not bring an offering; for the term "offering" implies both a willingness, and liberality: and God, who gives liberally , (James 1:5), is pleased with nothing less. Mal. 1:6-14.
I believe there are two circumstances, pertaining to offerings, which prove beyond a shadow of a doubt where one's heart is in relation to trust and/or love of God. One is that of deep poverty, illustrated by the widow, and her mite. If a person in deep Poverty willinqly qives "to the Lord", who owns the cattle on a thousond hills (Ps.50:10), doubtless this shows his faith and trust in God, as well as a worship of love, well pleasing to God. Another widow illustration is l.Kings 17:8-16.
On the other hand, the person with great abundance who liberally qives "to the Lord", shows a precious manifestation of, and trust in, God. This shows the Lord to be his treasure and love, rather than the abundance of his goods: for he, seeing the coffers full, worships God not of necessity, but of love. God expects His people to bring His offerings, whether their circumstance be that of want, or of abundance; and as the widows aptly illustrate the former, so King David does for the latter. First, when the seer Gad instructs David to "rear an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Araunah"; and Araunah offers to give him the threshingfloor, along with the offering, and wood for the offering, David will accept neither; for he will not "offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which cost me nothing". 2.Sam.24: 18-25. David could have gotten out of this "cheap": but would God have been pleased? Or, maybe it wouldn't have been so "cheap"!
Secondly, when David proposed to "build God a house" (1.Chron.17:1-12), God forbid him to do so, giving that honor to SolomOn. David could have well taken the attitude; "Then let him build it; and that with his own wealth." Instead, we can rightly say of David that which Paul says of himself (1.Cor.15:10); "but I labored more abundantly than they all".
Indeed, far from "getting off cheap", David said; "I have prepared with all mY might" (1. Chron. 29:2), and then proceeds to give an exact account in verses 2 thru 5, (see also chpt.28:11-21): then also "--the chief of the fathers and princes of Isreal and the captains of thousands and hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work,offered willingly" (vs . 6): then the people also "offered willingly". (vs. 9).
Because of this, "David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Isreal our father, for ever and ever. Thine, 0 Lord, is the greatness, and power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, 0 Lord, and thou are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.". l.Chron. 29:10-13.
In view of the preceeding, why would God desire an offering? But David shows, in verse 14, that it is not God who needs to receive, but rather it is he, and the people, who need to give: "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee." Please read on through the end of the chapter in your Bibles.
Surely if God had not given so abundantly, David, and the people, would not have had so abundantly to give to Him (and neither would He have required it - see 2.Corin. 8:1-15, especially verse 12): but because they do have abundantly to give to Him, "the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy". See verse 9. In connection with David's rejoicing, see also Hebrews 13:17.
It seems to me a person's joy in the abundance of God's gifts to him is increased in proportion to the abundance of his offerings in return to the Lord! The offerings of God's people are not determined by God's needs, but by the Joy of the giver!
In my mind this leaves but one point upon which to ponder; a point very much akin to the proverbial question: "Which comes first, the chicKen or the egg?". Or, in this case, Do we rejoice because we receive; or do we receive because we rejoice? I will leave this for your contemplation; and perhaps as you do, you would like to share your thoughts with me.
"When a man hasn't a good reason for doing a thing, he has a good reason for letting it alone." Sir Walter Scott
Article II
THE LAW OF SOWING AND REAPING Gal.6:7-8
I am continually amazed at how simple the Lord has made it for us to understand His ways! I am impressed more each day with the fact that it isn't the hardness of God's word that keeps men from obedience, but rather the hardness of the heart.
Can there be any doubt, according to the text, what is meant by "sowing to our flesh"? Is there any doubt that this refers to the same thing as those "cares of the world", and that "deceitfulness of riches" in Matt.13:22? That which "chokes the word"? The same as those riches (1.Tim.6:9) "which drown men in destruction and perdition"? The same as "he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God"? Luke 12:21. Then, can there be any doubt that we are "sowing to the flesh" if our passions are consumed on this world, and it's philosophies; along with it's goals, and measure of success? If so, we have replaced "the Lord thy God" (Deut.6:5) with "the World thy God"!
Just as far beyond doubt is the meaning of "reaping destruction" ! This is not some "purgatory" where those who have "sown to the flesh" will receive only a partial reward instead of a full one. No, this clearly is those "trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead" (Jude 12); that "second death" of Rev. 20:14.
Has the proof of the text ever been made more clear, or brought home more forcefully, than during the "days of Noe", and the "days of Lot"? Luke 17:26-33. Instead of "eating and drinking to the glory of God" (1.Cor.10:31); instead of eating "in due season, for strenqth", they ate "in the morning", and "for drunkenness". Ecc .10: 16-17. In other words, they began early each day; "in the morning; being so eager to fulfill their lusts -- which is the same as "sowing to the flesh". Instead of marrying, (and staying married), according to the law of the Lord (Matt.5:31-32; Rom.7:1-3; 1.Cor.7:815), they "saw all the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose". Gen.6:1-4.
What else did they do? They "bought and sold, they planted and builded". Did they do this for "food and raiment"? (1.Tim.6:8); or to "disperse to the poor"? (Ps.112:9; 1.Tim.6:18). No,they did it to fulfill the "lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life". 1.John 2: 15-17. In other words, they wanted it simply because they saw it; they wanted it for personal gratification; and they wanted it for the prestige. Compare also Ezek.16:40.
They "bought and sold"; and the price of their commodities was "the souls of men" (2.Peter 2:3; Rev.18:11-13): and this they did instead of putting it "into the bank" that God "might have required His own with usury". Luke 19:23.
They planted; but it was not the "planting of the Lord". Isa.60:21; 61:1-3. They builded; but it was not a "spiritual house" (Eph.2:20-22) to offer up "spiritual sacrifices" (1. Peter 2:5). Instead, they builded cities to call after their own name. Gen.4:17; 10:8-12; 11:19; Rev.16:19.
Has there ever been a generation since that has been more guilty than this one? The one "upon whom the ends of the world are come". 1.Cor.10:11. This whole generation, with few exceptions, is utterly consumed with the pursuit of the world, and what is to be gained of it: but, curiously, no one individual sees himself as guilty! It is always either the person, (and class, as the case may be), above him; or he rationalizes either the necessity, or the harmlessness, of his own doings: and "no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? Everyone turned to his own course, as the horse rusheth into battle." Jere.8:6. Read also Jere.8:7-12; 5:1; Zaph.3:5; Matt. 26:22,25.
Many believe that as long as they don't practice these things "in the church"; the "church" meaning that formal organization they attend on Sunday (most of the time); that there is no conflict with "the rest of their lives": but we are to "sow beside all waters". Isa.32:20.
As you have already noticed, there are many scripture references included in the above; and for this reason, I have not included the usual companion readings. I will simply encourage you to study the referenced scriptures as you read the article; which you will have to do, if you are to get the full benefit of the article.
"You cannot read the Gospels without seeing that Jesus did not tell men how to be good in the manner of the moralist of every age, He told them how to be happy."
Sir Thomas Taylor
Article III
ON WISDOM
PROVERBS 16:22-23
It is both a wise and blessed person who knows both what
he does know, and what he doesn't know: and no one knows
every thing; and there is no one who doesn't know anything.
It is also true that some people are given the ability
to know something about several different things, but most
everyone has one area in which they have a special expertise.
If this is not so, then you have what has come to be known
as "a jack of all trades, and master of none". This person
may do many things reasonably well, but brings nothing to
perfection.
Now there are some things I can do to a car as far as
working on one. I can change the oil and filter; change
out a radiator hose, or fan belt; replace an alternator,
or battery; and back when they were a lot more simple than
today, I could even rebuild an engine: but I was, and am,
a far cry from an accomplished mechanic.
There are certain things I can do which would fall under
the category of plumbing: but could I be classified as a
plumber? Hardly! If I applied to the State of Texas for
a plumbing license, they would never even consider issuing
one to me.
I can cook some things, but I'm not a cook. I can sew
a button on, but I'm not a seamstress; and so on.
On the other hand, if you put me on a fire truck, or some
other related equipment, I would be totally lost. I probably
would recognize a fire truck! The same is true with computers:
I might figure out how to turn one on, if you gave me
enough time.
Could I learn to be a fire fighter? Or a computer operator?
Yes - as anyone could who is reasonably intelligent:
but I believe I have enough wisdom to know that I would never
be an expert fire fighter; or computer operator; or plumber;
or mechanic: and I also trust that I have enough wisdom to
know that if I need any thing of this nature done which does
require any special expertise, to go and find someone who
has it.
I'm sure by now the object of this is obvious: if you
need something which pertains to the ministry of a pastor, .
then you ought not to try "to do it yourself". Neither should
you go find someone who is not a pastor: wisdom dictates
that you find a pastor!
Well, you say, there are myriads of people who call themselves
pastors: but are they all true pastors? If not, how
do I know who I can trust? The same way you know who is
a true mechanic, or plumber!
If I take my car to a mechanic, and he can't tell me what
is wrong with my car, and what it needs to fix it, I assume
he has not the expertise necessary, (we used to call such
"shade tree mechanics") ,and I will find me one who does;
and can; and will: and if he doesn't, I will not go back
to him again.
Now, if you will find you a pastor, he can, and will,
be able to advise you in every aspect (herein lies the
expertise) of you life, through the gospel and/or the word
of God.
What if, though, you go to a mechanic, and he tells
you that your car needs a new carburetor, and you don't
believe him? Or you say, "I can't afford one"? Or you
think you know what is wrong, and you keep trying different
ones until you find one who agrees with you?
Obviously your car will not get fixed! Yet this is
precisely what usually happens with respect to people,
and their souls, and lives. They come to church (or occasionally,
although nowadays it is seldom, they will come
to the pastor individually), and when they hear the sermon
they either don't believe it; they don't believe they can
afford to do what is prescribed; or they go to another
one until they find one that is agreeable to what they
themselves believe.
We must be careful, though, to not carry the analogy
too far. For instance, one way we generally try to assure
ourselves of one's expertise is to look to see if he has
a "degree". This may give us some assurance, in worldly
affairs, that the person knows what he is doing; but even
in worldly affairs this certainly is not fool proof, and much
less in spiritual matters: indeed, often a "degree" is cause
to run!
In opposition to all worldly wisdom, God takes one from
"following after the sheep"; one from gathering "sycamore
fruit"; two from a fishing boat; an harlot here, and a
thief there: and into these He puts His spirit to sanctify;
and then sends them forth with the word of life.
Find you one of these that God has called, sanctified,
and "put into the ministry": then if you can believe, and
follow his leading, your life will be "fixed".
---------------------------------------------
"A good man says, I never trusted God but I found Him faithful;
nor my own heart, but I found it false." Quoted from
a collection from Augustus Toplady.
Article IV
WHEN THOU ART CONVERTED, STRENGTHEN THY BRETHREN
Luke 22:31-34, with John 21:15-17
When is a man ready to be a pastor? In order to answer this question, we must distinguish between the call; the preparation; and the readiness.
Looking back at our first text, it is obvious Peter had at this time been called to the apostleship; but it is also obvious he was not ready to assume that office. Instead, he was at this time being prepared. Peter was ready only after he was converted; for to strengthen the brethren is the ministry of the office of pastor. 1.Peter 5:1-4; Eph.4:7-16.
Although they have nothing to do directly with the point we wish to make, we do need to make two quick observations lest some be led astray with other thoughts. First, the conversion of Peter here indicated has nothing to do with his being -- as we are prone to use the term today -- "saved"; i.e., regenerated; born again. Rather, as we shall discuss in a moment, it has to do with his being enabled to fulfill the ministry to which he has been called.
The second is that some may think this scripture invalid to illustrate our point, since Peter was an apostle, not a pastor. Our answer is, that although one may have all the credentials to be a pastor, but not an apostle; yet in order to have been an apostle, one must also have had the necessary credentials to be a pastor. In other words, though the apostleship required some extra qualifications, both offices required the same qualities.
Peter, then, must be converted before he is in a position to "strengthen his brethren": so must all God's ministers. What is this conversion? It is being brought from a state of self-sufficiency, to one of waiting on the Lord to lead by His Holy Spirit; an emptying of self. Until he has been emptied, a man is not ready to be a faithful pastor!
By a comparison of our two texts, we clearly sense the difference Peter's conversion wrought in him. In the first, we feel very distinctly Peter's self assurance, expressed in his words, "I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and into death"; but instead, he denied the Lord three times. What a different person we see in the agonizing Peter, after his conversion: and is it any wonder the Lord asked him three times, "Lovest thou me?". How we now feel his deep contrition, and carefulness, in the words, "Lord, thou knowest all things"! Instead of "I will", it is "Thou knowest"! for Peter now understands that God is the only I AM.
This pastor, though believing with all his heart the call to be a pastor first came over twenty five years ago; and although having actually begun some nineteen years ago; yet he is fully persuaded that he has only in the last three years or so been really emptied so as to be truly useful in the ministry. He once thought it sufficient, in order to be a pastor, to have a right doctrine; but has more and more been brought to understand, that though a right doctrine be essential, yet it cannot prosper but by a right spirit, through The Spirit.
That a man could be this long "in the ministry", yet not fully prepared, may seem strange to many; and in ordinary times, when the church was strong in the spirit and knowledge of the Lord, a man would never be allowed to enter the pulpit until the fruits of this conversion were evident; but these are extraordinary times when, for a lack of spiritual churches able to judge, God has had to use extraordinary means, converting His pastors by way of the wilderness -- and this pastor is not alone in this experience. "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good" (Isa.7:15) may be said of the under shepherds, as well as the shepherd.
Without saying more, let me simply direct you to the bulletin insert, and the poem "The Watered Lillies"; for it surely and beautifully expresses the attitude of all God's converted pastors.
Companion readings:
Psalms 51:10-13 2.Chron.l:7-10 Isaiah 6:1-8 2.Tim. 4:3-4; 2.Peter 2:1-3 Jude 4-13 Acts 9:3-16
A man whose inordinate love of money was ruining his life, once called upon a minister to argue a point in the minister's sermon. Perceiving the man's difficulty, the minister opened the Bible, pointed to the word "God", and asked, "Can you see that?" "Certainly", the man replied. The minister then placed a coin over the word, and said, "Can you see it now?" The man did not answer, but presently he said, "I understand."
I wonder what inordinate affections are obscuring our vision of God?
THE WATERED LILIES
Author Unknown
The Master stood in His garden,
Among the lilies fair,
Which His own right hand had planted,
And trained with tend’rest care.
He looked at their snowy blossoms,
And marked with observant eye,
That the flowers were sadly drooping,
For their leaves were parched and dry.
“My lilies need to be watered,”
The Heavenly Master said;
“Wherein shall I draw it for them,
And raise each drooping head?”
Close to His feet on the pathway,
Empty, and frail, and small,
An earthen vessel was lying,
Which seemed no use at all;
But the Master saw, and raised it,
From the dust in which it lay,
And smiled, as He gently whispered,
“This shall do my work today:
“It is but and earthen vessel,
But it lay so close to Me;
It is small, but it is empty --
That is all it needs to be.”
So to the fountain He took it,
And filled it full to the brim;
How glad was the earthen vessel,
To be of some use to Him!
He poured forth the living water,
Over His lilies fair,
Until the vessel was empty,
And again He filled it there.
He watered the drooping lilies,
Until they revived again;
And the Master saw with pleasure,
That His labor had not been vain.
His own hand had drawn the water,
Which refreshed the thirsty flowers;
But He used the earthen vessel,
To convey the living showers.
And to itself it whispered,
As He laid it aside once more,
“Still will I lie in His pathway,
Just where I did before.
“Close would I keep to the Master,
Empty would I remain,
And perhaps some day He may use me,
To water His flowers again.”
Article V
THE WIDOW'S MITES - Lk.21:1-4
What a simple, but beautiful, message is set forth in this incident! Yet there is no doubt that the vast majority of those who know it so well have never learned this simple, beautiful, truth!
The picture here is of many casting in their offerings consisting of but a small portion of their over all worth, though the amount of the offering may have been considerable. On the other hand, the widow cast in her offering consisting of all she possessed, though the amount was but a pittance. The Lord rightly judged her pittance, though, to be far the greatest in terms of love and devotion.
There are three other incidents noted in scripture by which I would like to further illustrate the truths contained in this act of the widow: (1) David's offering on the threshing floor of Araunah, 2.Sam.24:18-25; (2) the weeping woman, who having washed Jesus' feet with her tears, wiped them with the hair of her head, Lk.7:36-50; and (3) the parable of the unprofitable servants, Luke 17:7-10.
In the first, we see David commanded to offer to the Lord an offering on the threshing floor belonging to the man Araunah; who learning of his King's necessity, offers to give to David not only the threshing floor, but also the necessary offering, and the wood with which to consummate the offering: but David would not hear of it, because he would not "offer unto the Lord a sacrifice which cost me nothing". In essence, this is what Jesus is saying concerning those in the incident concerning the widow: in comparison to her's, their offering cost them nothing. Are we offering the Lord that which cost us nothing? If so, will He be pleased with it, be it ever so much?
In the second, we find a woman; a "sinner"; coming and anointing Jesus' feet with precious ointment; washing them with tears; wiping them clean with the hair of her head; and then kissing them. This in contrast to Jesus' host, who gave Him no water for His feet; he gave Him no oil to anoint His head; and greeted Him with no kiss; all of which were the customary courtesies of the times extended to the lowest of guests. Why the great contrast? Because the one loved Him greatly, and the other not at all! Also the reason for the great contrast between the widow, and her contemporaries: in comparison to her's, their love was nothing at all. How is our's in comparison to these two women? How much do we consider Jesus to have forgiven us?
In the third, we find the servant, after having worked laboriously in the field all day,instead of sitting down himself to supper, must first serve his master; who, as it is implied, worked not at all! Yet for all this, he has done only what was his duty! So with our widow: she did not do more than she should have. The real lesson in this comparison is that those who cast in of their plenty did not even do what was their duty: and it yet remains that only those who have "left all, and followed Him" (Luke 5:28) will enter into the joy of their Lord.
Thought for the week: we do not leave all in order to be saved; rather, they which have been saved leave all because they have been saved. Please read the following companion scriptures.
The Pearl of Great Price Matthew 13: 45-46
What is received. Mark 10: 28-30
Love to Christ compared:
Love to others. Luke 14: 25-33
Love to self; John 12: 25-26
Why He is worthy of this devotion:
He first loved us: I.John 4:10
And that totally. John 13: 1
It is impossible for those He loves to do less. l.Peter 2:21-25
"In the kingdom of God, the reward of a great service is the opportunity to render a still greater service." Lyman Abbott
