Camp Patmos

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Centered Young Adults

August 13-15, 2010

Is God Still Guiding His People Today?

Why is it that when we speak to God we are said to be praying but when God speaks to us we are said to be schizophrenic?
Lily Tomlin, comedian

God Desires to Guide Us

The Bible says that our God desires to guide us. The Scriptures describe God as a Guide. He came to Abraham, “The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you’.” (Genesis 12:1) – God guided Abraham.  Later, God guided Moses and the People of Israel: “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night”(Ex.13:21). In Proverbs 3:5-6 we are promised, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

The most famous psalm talks about this. Psalm 23: “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.” He knows just what I need. Our God is a Guide: He doesn’t leave His children, nor does He forsake them.  James 1:5 puts it like this: “Whoever among you lacks wisdom …. “  Anybody here ever make a bad decision? You ever needed any wisdom? Anybody need any right now? “Whoever among you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.” Our God is a guiding God. But of all the facets of the greatness of God, the guidance of God can be the most confusing to people. How do we actually experience it?

Let’s look at a story in the Old Testament about a little boy named Samuel, a story that sheds light on our subject. The Lord called the young Samuel and he answered, “Here I am.” Twice Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up, and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening’”(1 Samuel 3). This is the beginning of his relationship with God. God was speaking to Samuel in this story. Samuel knew he was being addressed. He did not know it was God. He actually had to learn how to recognize God was speaking to him. In other words, it’s possible for God to speak to someone and for that person to know something is going on, but they don’t know it’s God. All believers must undergo a process a learning to discern the voice of God.

What Is Communication?

Let’s think for a minute: What does it mean to communicate with someone? It’s quite a miraculous thing we’re able to do! We take it for granted. People can communicate. It’s essential to community and to communing. Communication is simply guiding somebody else’s thoughts. In his excellent treatment of this subject, Hearing God,  Dallas Willard explains

“When someone is communicating with you, all they’re doing is causing you to think certain thoughts you would not otherwise be thinking. Those thoughts are going on in your head. They’re your thoughts, but somebody else is prompting them. That’s communication. Because we’re finite creatures, we have to use finite means to guide each other’s thoughts. So we make sounds. I’m doing that right now, and because you’re sitting here for this talk, you are having thoughts you would not otherwise be having, right? Thoughts like, When will this be over? We make sounds, or we write symbols down on a piece of paper (like the handout you have in your hands). When people look at those symbols, they prompt thoughts. That is communication.”

Because we’re finite creatures, we have to use finite means to guide each other’s thoughts. But God is infinite, and among other things, this means God can guide your thoughts directly. He doesn’t have to use sounds. He doesn’t have to use symbols. He can, but He doesn’t have to. He has direct access to your mind. He can simply guide a thought without using any other means at all. But now part of what this means is it’s possible for God to guide a thought in my mind, but I may not know it is God doing that. Something like this is what happened to little Samuel. He didn’t know. Eli helped him with this. This is what some has called the “ministry of Eli” – helping someone to discern when God may be speaking or guiding in their life. Prayer is not just me talking with God. If God wants to, God can also talk back. To commune—to be in community, involves communication. Jesus says about his people: “When he [the Good Shepherd] has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” To have a personal relationship with God means I must be open to the possibility that the Spirit of God is prompting me, guiding me.

Often the Spirit of God will prompt us with ideas. A thought will come to write somebody a note or encourage somebody who feels alone or serve somebody who is in need or confront somebody who is going down a wrong path. Or, out of a blue sky you might get a prompting to call someone, and you did, only to find out that s/he felt miserable and was contemplating some evil thoughts, even suicide, but now s/he was refreshed by your [divine] intervention as you both went out for a coffee and s/he benefitted from your ministry. When those thoughts come, the main thing is not to say, “Hey, God is speaking to me.” What is important is that you actually do what the prompting is. It may be that you have been obeying those kinds of thoughts and serving God your whole life long, while never identifying that that is God’s voice. The main issue is not that you say it’s God’s voice. The main issue is that you actually respond with obedience.

Prerequisites to Hearing God’s Voice

1. Salvation. In our attempt to understand how God speaks to us and guide us we MUST understand that we are enabled to hearing God’s voice only by partaking into the life of God, a life of loving relationship with the King and the other members of His Kingdom. Jesus left no exception from this condition when He declared, “He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47) In order for us to belong to God we must first be born again, and enabled to walk in the light and the truth of the new life. Answering to Pilate, Jesus said, “I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” (John 18:37)

2. Receptivity.  Only our communion with God provides the appropriate context for communication between us and Him! It is not enough to be sharing in the life of God; the second fundamental requisite is to be “in tune” with God! The fact that we are not hearing, doesn’t mean that God is not speaking to us! Think of all the Radio or TV waves that are passing through our bodies and brains right, messages that a correctly tuned receiver can transform the waves in images and sounds. God speaks to us all the time, but we are not attuned to the voice of God!

3. Are We Ready Vessels? We all need to do some honest soul-searching: What kind of vessel is my life, my heart, my mind? Paul tells his disciple Timothy, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” (2 Tim. 2:21).

4. Are We Ready to Be in Business with God? We pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done!” Are we devoted to the glory of God and for the advancement of His Kingdom? If our lives are not devoted to the will of God, He might still speak to us, even use us if we are strategically placed. Let’s face it clearly: What are we living for? If we are not living for God and His purposes, His voice will always be an unwelcome intrusion into our plans.

Many of us have grown to love the theme of God’s guidance. Within Christian community, the teaching on the will of God and how to discover it continues to be one of the most popular subjects. Many of us grew up accustomed with the prayer line, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” At many Christian Conferences the workshop that most people stay in line to sign up for is, “Knowing the Will of God.” My wife Rodica, a 5th Grade Sunday School Teacher recently surveyed her class and was surprised to see that even at this young age the theme of hearing God’s voice topped her students’ preferences!
Indeed, there is a deep thirst within that challenges us to desire and seek a personal, intimate relationship with God. The Bible is filled with examples of regular people like ourselves who experienced a close relationship with the Creator, a relationship that resembles more like a friendship or family tie. This is the reality and the beauty of the one-on-one relationship: God has created us for intimate friendship with Himself – both now and for the eternity ahead. God’s desire for intimacy with His children is well attested in the Scriptures:
“Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.” (Exodus 29:45-46). “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent” (Ex. 33:11). Jesus said to His disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14).  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God’.” (Revelation 21:3)
Busting Some Myths Regarding God’s Guidance

Myth 1: God only speaks to and guides the spiritual mature believers

Some Christians think God’s guidance is just for prophets or missionaries or pastors. A story that shows how false this myth is comes from the Old Testament Book of Numbers. There was a prophet named Balaam who was hired by the enemy of Israel, Midian, to curse Israel. Balaam is riding a donkey to go to Midian but God sends an angel to turn Balaam back to Israel. On the road, the donkey sees the angel of God blocking their path. Balaam doesn’t see it. So the donkey turns aside. Balaam beats the donkey to get her back on the road. This happens three times. This is in the Bible, Numbers 22. The donkey is reasoning with Balaam, not just speaking to him. God is speaking through a donkey. God can speak through anybody He chooses. He can speak through a donkey if He wants to. It’s not about spiritual greatness and maturity. God can speak to a little boy, like He did in the case of the young Samuel (1 Samuel 3). It is important to observe that it was a process for Samuel to learn to distinguish God’s voice!

Myth 2: If I’m always obedient to God’s Word, He will guide all my decisions, and I won’t have to make any decisions on my own.

As a parent, would it be a good thing if you would make every decision for a child’s whole life? Would you like it if for your whole child’s life you would say, “Wear these clothes. Take this class. Choose this major. Buy this house. Enter this job. Marry this person.” The normal answer would be NO! Because that would paralyze their development! As a parent, my main goal for my child is that he or she becomes a good and godly person, a person of wisdom and courage and grace and mercy and love and truth. Becoming a good person requires you to think things out, exercise judgment, sometimes make difficult choices in the face of uncertainty, and then take accountability and learn. That process is indispensable for the formation of a human being, and that means that many times in your life when you pray and ask for guidance, God’s response is going to be: “You choose.”  Because you’ll never grow if you don’t do that!
Sometimes, the reality is, I don’t really want guidance. What I want is to be spared the anxiety that goes with freedom and choosing and being responsible. Part of God’s will for your life is that you grow into responsible, mature adults. There is no other way to learn except by choosing. When you choose, there is risk involved. With risk, sometimes you’ll experience failure. With failure you’ll feel pain. God does not offer guidance as a method of risk avoidance. God’s guidance is not about you reducing your anxiety in the face of choice. It’s about you becoming the person God intended you to be. That means very often God will say to you: “You choose: be wise, get good counsel, and I’ll be with you guiding through the process.”

Myth 3: God’s will is an inner and subjective card I can use to get my way

Most of us probably heard a story when somebody – could be a guy or a gal – would say to somebody of the opposite gender: “God told me you’re the person I’m meant to marry.” The best response to this is, “You tell God to tell me, and as soon as I hear from Him, I’ll get back to you.” Or you hear that a pastor at a church will leave to go to a larger church with more prestige and a higher salary. But he will never say, “I’m leaving to go to a bigger church with more prestige and a higher salary.” What he’ll say is, “I got … called.  I don’t want to go to that bigger church with more prestige and a higher salary. Personally, I’d rather stay here with you, but God called me, so what can I do?”
Some Christians can become hypocritical by using this “spiritual” language as they try to make themselves look more spiritual by adding to the normal course of decision-making phrases like, “The Lord called me to … “; “God spoke to me about going there;” “God put this burden on my heart” ; “God showed me this…” This kind of language can impress and often intimidate “regular” Christians. Our God is a guiding God. But of all the facets of the greatness of God, the guidance of God can be the most confusing to people.

Myth 4: There is nothing we can do to be guided by God

The Prophet Elijah was discouraged and needed guidance at one time in his life. The Lord led him to a place alone for 40 days. He was on a mountain, and some spectacular things happened. A great and powerful wind came down, but the text says the Lord was not in the wind. Then a strong earthquake occurred. The Bible says the Lord was not in the earthquake. Then a fire came. The text says the Lord was not in the fire. Elijah had to wait and wait and wait, and finally after the fire was a still, small voice.  There was the Lord. Not the big, spectacular, dramatic special effects, but a still small voice.
What is my role in finding God’s guidance? Listening. Of course reading Scripture is a primary way we listen to God. The Holy Spirit never leads us in a direction contrary to the teachings of Scripture. When you wonder, “How do I know if a prompting is of God?”,  part of what to recognize is that God’s guidance will never be in contradiction to the teaching of Scripture. The promptings of the Spirit are generally in line with the gifts the Spirit gives. If somebody says, “I want to sing in the choir,” but they have a terrible voice, that is probably not the Spirit leading them. The Spirit generally leads people in a direction of servanthood. If you find an idea, and it’s really all about your fulfillment and not about serving, there is good reason to question.

I looked for the Church and I found it in the world,
and I looked for the world and I found it in the Church.
A worldly Church will never win the world.
-Horatius Bonar

The Apostle John (the Apostle of love) discouraged his readers from falling in love with the world when he wrote: “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16). John knew that the orderly system of the world is characterized by three forces purposed to entice the appeal of people. It doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that this world is enticing! It is extreme, fun, crazy, cool, hip and the like. It caters diverse things to diverse cultures. It offers wisdom through its educational institutions; it offers fame and possessions while promising rewards to those who are ambitious and hard-working; it offers fun, satisfaction and temporary pleasures that stimulate our appetites. Furthermore, the world presents a type of image or mold to which people can easily compare and fashion themselves.
Notice what Paul writes in Romans 12 verse 2: “And do not be conformed to this world.” The word “conformed” (Greek soos-khay-mat-id’-zo) means to form according to a pattern or a mold. Consequently Paul is urging believers not to be formed inside the pattern or mold of the world. Furthermore, the word used for world is translated “aion” in Greek, which means an age, as apposed to the more widely used Greek word “Kosmos”, which usually describes the created world. Richard Trench (Author of “Synonyms of the New Testament”) gives a good idea of its meaning: “Aion came to mean all that exists in the world under conditions of time…. Aion includes all the thoughts, opinions, maxims, speculations, impulses, and aspirations present in the world at any given time, which may be impossible to accurately define but which still constitute a real and effective power—the moral or immoral atmosphere we breathe.”
Christians must accept the fact that the ruler of this world, Satan, has purposely created an atmosphere to dissimilate people from their creator; to make them fit an ungodly mold. May we never forget that his primary target is the Church of Jesus Christ. One of his goals has always been to rob the Church of her unique exclusiveness, by deceitfully selling the ideas of “relativism” (beauty is in the eye of the beholder), “political correctness” (minimizing social/institutional offense), and even “tolerance” (disagreeing but accepting nonetheless). He attempts to pervert the Church and eliminate the dividing line between her and the world. Ultimately he wants to destroy us although his attempts are in vain. Jesus said that the gates of hell would never prevail against the Church. Nonetheless, every believer is required to be sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:7). Solomon wrote: “A wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment” (Ecclesiastes 8:5). In this season of confusion, there is call for discernment and judgment.

“…the ruler of this world, Satan, has purposely created an atmosphere to dissimulate people from their creator; to make them fit an ungodly mold.”

But there are many Christians who don’t know what their responsibilities are according to what is mentioned in Scripture. Some actually believe that a Pacifist position should be taken on issues of judgment and discernment. The liberals and media are pressuring the church to become more “tolerant” (i.e. The Homosexual Marriage issue). It seems as though many believers are confused while waves of doctrinal error are hitting the Church. What is to be done? God’s Word has all the answers.

Jesus teaches His followers NOT to Judge others’ imperfections

The Bible teaches us not to judge others, for in doing so we will be judged with the same measure with which we judge others; “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged: and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you (Matthew 7:1-2). It is clear that Jesus is referring to those who judge the faults of others (see v. 4,5). Jesus may have used this statement as a reproof towards the Pharisees, a group of religious intellectuals, who were severe in judging anyone but themselves. Jesus called this ‘Hypocrisy’. In 1 Corinthians 11:31 Paul explains that if we (Christians) would judge ourselves (our thoughts and actions), we would not be judged.

Jesus cautions His listeners to Beware of False Prophets

While Jesus discouraged his listeners from Judging the faults (and ultimately the motives) of others, He cautioned them to beware of false prophets; “Beware of false prophets (pretended foretellers or religious imposters), who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-16). Notice that Jesus describes their appearance, intentions and fruits. Jesus is in fact teaching His congregation how to discern between true and false teachers.
Furthermore, in his first epistle, John instructs believers to “test the spirits”; “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). In this verse, John explains that Christians ought to examine every “current of air” (spirit pronounced “pneo” in Greek, means “breath” or “current” of air) in order to approve or disapprove of its source. The Jews of Berea were careful to ‘search the scriptures’ while Paul and Silas ministered the Word of God in the Jewish Synagogue: “These (Jews) were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). In these last days, it is a good practice for Christians to test the validity of ideas, opinions and messages by searching the Scriptures.

Jesus ‘Cleansed’ the Temple

“Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, it is written ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12-13). Evidently, Jesus was quite harsh with those who turned His Father’s house into a marketplace. Are we to stand up for our Savior’s interests in the context of the church and its reputation?

Paul prayed for the Discernment of the Philippians

In Paul’s letter of encouragement to the Philippians, he expresses his deep desire to see them and mentions that he prays for their love to increase: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9-10). What a wonderful motivation from Paul! His desire for these Christians was that they would be able to exercise discernment so that on the day of Christ (at his coming) they would be without offense. Do we ever think of spiritually discerning right from wrong in light of the day when Christ shall return?
We are living in the days foretold by Jesus Himself, who said that in the last days the love of many would grow cold and that sin would abound (Matthew 24). Our whole world is lying in sin and God’s judgment will righteously be poured out onto the disobedient. Paul told Timothy that in the last days, many would be lovers of themselves, and that they would listen to teachings that tickle their ears. We see these symptoms today. It is imperative that we continue to be prayerful in this time. The Bible says that we are to pray without ceasing. Even in their extreme spiritual poverty, God offers ointment to the Laodicean church. God will reward those who humbly confess their sin and turn to Him in prayer. He will fill their hearts with love for Him and His people. The last day remnant is a discerning, seeing people.

Paul Instructs the Romans to Acquire Discernment by Renewing their Minds

Romans 12:1-2 is quoted often in sermons as well as group discussions, and is a major key in discovering the will of God for our lives. Paul tells the Romans that by presenting themselves before God and His word, their minds will be transformed (metamorphosis) and the will of God shall be clear; in other words, we can discern good choices from bad ones when we are full of God’s word. By reading and memorizing Scripture, we can discern right from wrong; we will be able to detect worldliness. When we are familiar with God’s Word, it is quite easy to combat the philosophy of relative truth and doctrinal error.
2 Timothy 3:16 says: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” In addition, Paul teaches Timothy to take heed to doctrine and to give attention to reading.

Psalm 119:105… “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”; Psalm 119:9… “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.”

Conclusion

When we understand the Bible’s teachings, no matter how luring Satan’s mold may be or how confusing his tactics are, we will have the ability to exercise judgement and proper discernment in confusing moments and to prevent an attitude of judgmental thinking towards our neighbours. But we must also pay close attention to what we are taught and continually check for the evidence in Scripture. The Lord is delighted when we stand up for His true values and defend our Faith in Him. Jesus promised to confess before the Father those who confess Him. Finally, our lives should be characterized by a life of prayer coupled with the word of God.

It is ironic that in a country like America, where the majority of people still consider themselves “Christian,” the moral climate and the church’s influence on society is alarmingly low.  The main reason can be attributed to the fact that the church is not heeding Christ’s command to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)  The church’s work doesn’t stop at evangelism–Jesus accented the process of evangelism “Go and make disciples…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

A Kingdom Without A King?

Especially in recent decades, the preaching of the Gospel has often been dumbed down and diluted so that it would appear more acceptable to a nation headed in a humanistic and materialist direction.  Resultantly, the Gospel has become very man-centered instead of Christ-centered.  Consider the following:

• Phrases like “Count your blessings,” “Jesus belongs to me,” “I am satisfied with Jesus,” are all over the lyrics of our favorite songs and hymns.
• Our prayers are often nothing more than requests asking for God’s blessing.
• Our church services and buildings are designed to make us most comfortable (plush seats etc.).
• Evangelistic efforts are marked by promises that Jesus will make your life better.

“For the early Christians, then, so much was at stake for simply saying ‘Jesus is Lord.’”

When we refer to Jesus as “Lord” today, the meaning of the term has usually lost its original sense.  In the Greek, kurios meant the one with maximum authority, the creator, the one above everyone else.  When Kurios was capitalized, it was only used to refer to Caesar; Caesar of Rome was the Lord.  It shouldn’t come to us as a surprise then, that when Christians refused to affirm the greeting of fellow Romans who would say  ”Caesar is Lord”, they suffered from persecution and were often martyred.  For the early Christians then, so much was at stake for simply saying “Jesus is Lord.”

Lordship Salvation

At the turn of the 20th century a theological debate arose concerning the nature of salvation.  Some theologians proposed the idea that all one had to do to be saved was to accept Jesus Christ as Savior.  Their conclusion was that Jesus’ Lordship was an aspect of salvation that could be realized at a later part of Christian walk.  In a way, we can see how this teaching, along with those who accepted it, has watered down the Gospel that has been preached in America ever since.

The role of discipleship in the life of the Christian can only be redeemed when we pay close attention to the totality of what the Bible teaches about what it means to be saved.  We must emphasize that although Jesus is gentle and humble in heart, he has a yoke for us to carry (Matthew 11:28-29), and that all those who want to follow him must deny themselves and take up their cross (Matthew 16:2-25).  Discipleship is not an optional part of being a Christian; God is not honored in a buffet-style approach to faith.  The truly saved will understand that although forgiveness is free, discipleship will cost you everything.

To be continued.

Hull, Bill. The Complete Book of Discipleship. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2006.

Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy. New York: HarperCollins, 1998.

MacArthur, John. Faith Works: the Gospel According to the Apostles. Nashville: W Group Publishing, 1993.

In our last post we set a foundation for Bible study by examining the basic tools and methods for understanding a biblical text.  In this post we want to explore two different ways of approaching the Bible.  We hope they can serve as examples for how to make the connection between God’s word and your life.

1. Devotional Bible Study

The ultimate purpose of any type of Bible Study is life application, not interpretation, as God wants to change our lives through His Word. The Devotional Bible Study is simply taking a passage of the Bible and prayerfully meditating on it until the Holy Spirit leads you to apply its truth to your own life in a way that is personal, practical, possible, and tangible. In other words, take heed of James’ call to “do what it says” (1:22). Without personal application, any Bible Study becomes an academic exercise without any spiritual value! Remember 2 Tim. 3:16. Head knowledge without heart knowledge creates Pharisees! Even though they knew their Scriptures, they “didn’t know the power of God!” (Matt.22:29) Worse yet, their knowledge gave them a dangerous sentiment of pride: “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1).
Our Devotional Bible study must lead to application and spiritual growth in our lives and has several steps:

1. Pray for insight on how to apply the passage
2. Meditate on the passage you have chosen to study
3. Write down an application and ask, “Does this application help me become more like Jesus?”
4. Memorize a key verse from your study.

Application is difficult because:

• It requires hard work and serious thinking
• Satan fights it with all of his might
• We naturally resist change and love our comfort zone.

2. Character Trait Method of Bible Study

One of the most important goals for Christians is to develop a Christlike character in their lives. We do this by cooperating with the Word of God and with the Spirit of God in the process of replacing bad character traits with good ones. This type of Bible study helps us identify both the good and the bad traits, and then, through prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit, work at minimizing the bad ones and maximizing the Christ-like ones.

For this type of study we need some of the tools we mentioned in Bible Study Methods – Part 1: A Bible, exhaustive concordance, Bible dictionary or a word study book, topical Bible, English dictionary.

“Analyze whether a negative trait in your life is in fact a positive one, but misused. For instance, if you are legalistic and rigid, it could be that your positive trait of self-control is being misused and that self-discipline must be dipped in love, compassion, and concern for others.”

Important Tips:

• Work on one quality at a time – this will help you stay focused on the weakest trait of your character.
• Character formation takes time – sometimes months, or even years! Don’t despair; persevere!
• Analyze whether a negative trait in your life is in fact a positive one, but misused. For instance, if you are legalistic and rigid, it could be that your positive trait of self-control is being misused and that self-discipline must be dipped in love, compassion, and concern for others.
• You CANNOT do it on your own! It is God’s Spirit that reproduces Christ’s character in us (Phil.2:13).

Steps for a Character Trait Bible Study:

1. Name the trait. Look it up in an English Dictionary and write down the definition. List all the synonyms.
2. Name the opposite trait. Most Thesauruses also give the antonyms. Write down its definition.
3. Do a word study – look up the Bible definition of the quality you are studying. Use net.Bible.org
4. Find cross-references: The Bible is the best interpreter of Scripture. Use your concordance and topical bible to find all the verses you can related to this trait.
5. Ask:

What are the benefits of this trait for ME?

What are the bad consequences this trait can bring ME?

What are the benefits / consequences this trait can bring to others?

Is there any promise from God related to this quality?

Is there any warning or judgment related to this trait?

Is there a command related to this trait?

What the Bible tells me what God thinks of this trait?

Do I desire more or less of this trait in my life?

Next:

1. Write down a short summary of the Bible’s teaching on this quality.
2. Find a biblical person in that displayed this character trait in his or her life, and ask whether this trait helped or hindered his/her spiritual growth and what result it produced in his/her life.
3. Find a memory verse that best underlines the trait you just studied.
4. Think of a situation or relationship that you want to apply and work on this trait. If it is a situation, anticipate in advance how you are going to act when time comes. If it is a relationship, determine ahead how you are going to respond in your relationship with that person. Pray and ask God for His help.

Why do we need to study the Word of God?

Paul writes Timothy (2 Tim. 3:15-17) that there are two main reasons why believers must study the Scriptures:

1. To know Jesus Christ and receive his salvation (v.15),
2. To help us grow spiritually that we might get equipped for whatever God wants us to do (v.17).

In one dispute with the Sadducees, Jesus proclaimed, “You are in error because you do not know the Scripture or the power of God” (Matt. 22:29).

“People get off base doctrinally because they know neither their Bibles nor the power of God.”

With the current rise and popularity of cults, false teachings, and non-biblical philosophies, it is absolutely imperative that we Christians be grounded in the Word of God, so we are enabled to discern error from truth.

Principles of Bible Study

There are several methods of Bible study, but all of them have five foundational principles:

1. Ask the right kinds of questions of the biblical text. Apply these important questions to the passage that you are studying: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
   Read the immediate context, the whole chapter, or book to gain answers to these questions.  The tools listed below will help you in this.
2. Write down what you have observed and discovered. Bible study is different than Bible reading! If you don’t write down your observations, you haven’t really thought about them.
3. The ultimate goal of Bible study is application, not interpretation. Dwight Moody said, “The Bible was not given only to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.”
4. The Bible must be studied in a systematic way. We must stay away from a “buffet-style” approach, or hopping through the books of the Bible.
5. No Bible student will ever exhaust all the riches of any given passage in the Scripture. God is infinite, and so is His Word: infinite in depth, height, and width, and always fresh in taste!

Preparing for Bible Study

1. Schedule Your Bible Study. If you don’t put study in your weekly schedule, you will never make time for it.
2. Use a Notebook. Bible study requires you to write down your observations.
3. Get the Right Tools. A serious Bible student must acquire a few “tool of the trade” – consider making an investment in these reference tools– you will be able to use them for a long time.
4. Start Your Bible Study With Prayer. Pray for forgiveness and then, for a fresh filling with the Holy Spirit, as He is our Teacher (John 14:26; 16:13).  (119:18)

Bible Study Tools

• A Study Bible. They provide introductions to each books, notes on each verse, charts, maps etc.  The NIV or ESV versions are excellent choices.
• An Exhaustive Concordance. This important tool is a Bible index of the words contained in a specific Bible version and lists every usage of every word in the Bible and gives all the references where that word appears.
• A Bible Dictionary. Explains words, customs, and traditions in the Bible, and provides historical, geographical, cultural, and archeological information.  Ex: Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, or The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (4 Volumes).
• A Topical Bible. Categorizes the verses of the Bible by topics.  Ex: NIV Naves Topical Bible.
• A Bible Handbook. Gives background notes, a brief commentary, and includes maps, charts, outlines, key words and verses.  Ex: Halley’s Bible Handbook or Talk Thru The Bible.
• Commentaries. These are scholarly collections of explanatory notes and interpretations on the text of a particular Bible book or section. They should not be consulted only after you have done your own Bible study!
• Electronic Resources:  net.bible.org; eSword.com; biblegateway.com

To Be Continued.

Fee, Gordon, and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Duvall, Scott J., and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God’s Word. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.

Hill, Andrew E., and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.

Carson, D.A., and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.

ESV Study Bible. Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

by Romeo Pelle

Spiritual Discipline of Money

A Synthesis of Randy Alcorn’s Book: “The Treasury Principle”

Jesus spoke about money, possessions and finances more than He talked about heaven and hell combined! Why? Because there is a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and we handle money. Even though some Christians try to separate faith from finances, God sees them inseparable.

One Biblical example is found in Luke 3, where John the Baptist was asked by the crowd of his listeners what they must do to demonstrate the fruit of their repentance. Even though they did not ask anything about money, John gave them three answers, and all related to money and possessions:

1. Everyone should share clothes and food with the poor (v.11).

2. Tax collectors shouldn’t take extra money (v.13).

3. Soldiers should be content with their wages and not extort money (v.14).

Why didn’t John talk about other things that we, and the crowd of those times, might think are important and related to our spiritual health? Because our approach to money and material possessions isn’t just important; it is central to our spiritual lives! John the Baptist couldn’t talk about spirituality without talking about how to handle money and wealth.

Another example we can find in the life of Zacchaeus. Luke 19 describes this Jew as a person that did everything in his power to accumulate wealth, as he was the chief tax collector in the city of Jericho. However, when he met Jesus he said: “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (Luke 19:8). Jesus responded: “Today salvation has come to this house” (v.9). Zacchaeus totally new approach to money demonstrated that his heart had been transformed.

Many other Biblical examples prove the connection between a person’s spiritual condition and his or her approach to money and possessions: the new converts sold their possessions to help the needy (Acts 2:45; 4:32-35); when Ephesians occultists converted to Christ they burnt all of their magic books, valued to millions of dollars in today’s money (Acts 19:19); the poor widow who gave everything she had (Mark 12:44).

In strong contrast, the Lord Jesus spoke of a rich man who spent all of his wealth on himself, living a life of luxury, and who planned to tear down his barns to build larger ones to accumulate even more. God called this man a fool, saying, “This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (Luke 12:20). The strongest accusation against this person’s spiritual condition was that he was rich toward himself, but not rich toward God.

When a rich young man insisted to Jesus on how to obtain eternal life, Jesus told him, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, and follow me” (Matthew 19:21). This young man was obsessed with earthly treasures; Jesus called him to something higher – heavenly treasures. Jesus knew that money and possessions were this man’s god. He, indeed, obeyed the commandments from the Second Table of Moses’ Law, but he failed miserably regarding the First Commandment! Jesus knew well that this young man wouldn’t serve God unless he dethroned his real god: Mammon, the money god, but the seeker considered the price too high and walked away from the real treasures.

In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches the foundation of the Treasure Principle:

“Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

Think of what Jesus is saying: “Do not store up treasures on earth.” Why not? Because earthly treasures are bad? NO. Because they won’t last. This is what Scriptures says, “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle” (Proverbs 23:5). As Christians we have the insight of the eventual return of Christ. This is the ultimate inside trading tip: Earth’s currency will become worthless when Christ returns, or when you die, whichever comes first (which both could happen at any time!).

Jesus tells us to once and for all switch our investments and to transfer our funds from Earth, which is totally unsecured (Alexander the Great), to Heaven, which is totally dependable and secured by God Himself. His Kingdom is coming soon to replace Earth’s economy. According to Jesus, storing up earthly treasures isn’t only wrong; is stupid! He wants us to store up treasures in Heaven.

God is the Owner, we are the managers. We need to develop a steward’s mentality toward the assets He had entrusted – not given – to us! A steward doesn’t have a sense of entitlement to the assets he manages. It’s his job to find out what the owner wants done with His assets and carry out His will.

Biblical teachings regarding the Treasure Principle Key # 1:

• “The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” – Psalm 24:1.
• “The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,” declares the Lord Almighty.” – Haggai 2:8.
• “Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth” – Deuteronomy 8:18.
• “Wealth and honor come from you; You are the ruler of all things… Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand” – 1 Chronicles 29:12 & 14
• “You are not your own; you were bought at a price” -  1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

God will grant us rewards for generous giving: “Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven” (Matt. 19:21). Jesus is keeping track even of our smallest acts of kindness: “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” (Matt. 10:42)

God is keeping a record of all we do for Him, including our giving: “A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His Name” Malachi 3:16. Jesus said, “If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of you own?” (Luke 16:11-12). If you and I handle His money faithfully, Christ will give us true riches – the eternal ones. By generously distributing God’s property on Earth, we will become property owners in Heaven!

In other words, we could actualize Jesus’ words something like this: “Show me your checkbook, your credit card statement and your receipts, and I’ll show you where your heart is.”

Jesus declared “Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

The Bible is very clear regarding Jesus’ command to us regarding giving. We know that He offers us great rewards for giving. The question is: “Why is so difficult to give?” There several barriers to giving: unbelief, insecurity, pride, idolatry, desire for power and control. However, the greatest barrier to giving is the illusion, or the belief that Earth is our home.

Paradoxically, our home is a place we’ve never been; but it’s the place we were made for. If we would let this reality sink in, it would forever change the way we think and live: we would stop laying up treasures in our earthly hotel room and start sending more ahead to our true home.

“Who dies with the most toys wins”

If we would take a trip to a landfill, we would see a long line of garbage trucks lined up to dump computers, stereos, furniture, appliances, toys, and anything you could imagine. The pit where that stuff is dumped will be covered with a layer of soil, and another layer of stuff will be dumped. That is the final resting place for the things in our lives, and sooner or later, everything we own ends up here: cars, boats, and hot tubs; clothes, stereos, and barbecues; Christmas and birthday presents. The treasures that children fight about, friendships were lost, honesty was sacrificed for, and many marriages broke up for: all of these end up in a junkyard!

And this despite the saying, “Who dies with the most toys wins”! In fact, when we die after devoting our lives to acquire things, we don’t win – we lose. We move into eternity, but our toys stay behind, filling junkyards.

Let’s think about our lives like having two phases: first phase is a dot; the second is a line extending out from that dot. Right now we are living  in the dot. But what are we living  for ? The shortsighted person lives for the dot. The person with perspective lives for the line. This Earth and my time here is the dot. Our beloved Bridegroom, the coming wedding, the great reunion, and our eternal home in the New Heaven and New Earth – they are all on the line. These truths bring us to the key # 4:

The person who lives for the dot lives for the treasures on Earth that end up in junkyards or landfills. The person who lives for treasures in heaven that will last forever IS LIVING FOR THE LINE! Missionary Jim Elliot has uttered these words: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Live for the line, not for the dot!

A Culture Obsessed With Possession

A PBS television documentary diagnosed our American culture with “modern-day plague of materialism” and claimed that:

• The average American shops six hours a week while spending a total of 45 minutes playing with his children.
• By age twenty, the average American has seen one million commercials.
• Every year more Americans declare bankruptcy than graduate from college, and the number of bankruptcies is skyrocketing.
• In 90% of divorce cases the arguments about money play a dominant role.

However, material wealth doesn’t make us happy. Actually, the richest among us tell us otherwise:

• “The care of $200 million is enough to kill anyone.” W.H. Vanderbilt
• “I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” John D. Rockefeller
• “Millionaires seldom smile.” Andrew Carnegie
• “I was happier when doing a mechanic’s job.” Henry Ford

There are countless stories of lottery winners that are more miserable a few years after winning than they were before. Or people that purchased a “vacation” home just to become enslave and work on that piece of property every weekend or day off. We think we own our possessions, but too often they own us. Nothing makes a journey more difficult than a heavy backpack filled with nice but unnecessary things.  Pilgrims travel light.

The Tyranny of Things

Acquiring some expensive thing may push me into redefining my priorities. For instance, if I buy a boat, I want to justify my purchase by using the boat, which probably means frequent weekend trips to the lake, away from Church. More time would have to be spent on maintaining the boat, including the necessary expenses for maintenance. The problem isn’t with the boat; it is with me that I have to change the priority of things important in my life.

Let’s listen to the wise words of Solomon, the wisest man of his generation that we find in Eccles. 5:10-15.

• “Whoever loves money never has money enough” (v.10a). In other words: The more you have, the more you want!
• “Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income” (v.10b). In other words: The more you have, the less you are satisfied!
• “As goods increase, so do those who consume them” (v.11). In other words: The more you have, the more people (even the government) will come after it.
• “The sleep of the laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep” (v.12). In other words: The more you have, the more you have to worry about.
• “I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner” (V.13). In other words: The more you have, the more you can hurt yourself by holding on to it.
• “Or wealth lost through some misfortune” (v.14). In other words: The more you have, the more you have to lose.
• “Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand” (v.15). In other words: The more you have, the more you’ll leave behind.

Solomon was the wealthiest man of his time and he learned that affluence and possessions didn’t satisfy. He tried everything, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure” (Ecclesiastes 2:10). However, he concluded: “When I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind, nothing was gained under the sun” (v.11).

Why are we, humans, become so entangled in trying to get these earthly treasures? Because our hearts yearn for these treasures, and we are tempted to get them because we are under the illusion that they are real and genuine, when these earthly treasures are mere shadows of the real, heavenly treasures! Nevertheless, the earthly treasures can become heavenly ones!

“As base a thing as money often is, it yet can be transmuted into everlasting treasure. It can be converted into food for the hungry and clothing for the poor; it can keep a missionary busy actively winning lost men to the light of the Gospel and thus transmute itself into heavenly values. Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality”

A.W. Tozer, “The Transmutation of Wealth,”

Apostle Paul has a strong word for the rich people and against the perils of materialism: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). These truths bring us to the:

The act of giving is a clear reminder that it is all about God, not about us. He does not exist for me; I exist for Him and God’s money has a higher purpose than my affluence. Giving affirms Christ’s Lordship, as it dethrones me and exalts Him. It breaks the chains of Mammon that wants to enslave me. When I give it away, I relinquish control, power, and prestige. I recognize God as owner, myself as a servant, and others as intended beneficiaries of what God entrusted to me.

Getting Started in the Spiritual Discipline of Giving

“I have held many things in my hand and I have lost them all.

But whatever I placed in God’s hands, that I still possess” (Martin Luther)

Like Zacchaeus, who understood that a saved life cannot be separated from giving, any Christian must understand that Christian life is inseparable from the discipline of giving. The question is, “Where do I start?” A logical place is where God started His Old Covenant children: “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord: it is holy to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:30). The meaning of the “tithe” is a “tenth” part. Ten percent was to be given back to the Lord. There were freewill offerings too, but the 10% was mandatory.

Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” God’s children are to give Him first, not last! When His children weren’t giving as they should, He said, “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob Me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse – the whole nation of you – because you are robbing Me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house” (Malachi 3:8-10).

Jesus validated the mandatory tithe, even on small things (Matthew 23:23). But there is no mention of tithing after the Gospels. In the Epistles, the tithe is neither commanded nor rescinded, and this led to a heated debate among Christians about whether tithing is still a starting place for giving. The New Testament speaks strongly against legalism, the commandments regarding tithing belong to the Old Testament and nobody wants to pour new wine into old wineskins by imposing Old Testament commandments on the New Testament believers. HOWEVER, every New Testament example of giving goes far beyond the tithe and none falls short of it.

The truth of giving God our first fruits, though, is a timeless concept! Whether or not the tithe is still the minimal measure of those firstfruits, we should ask ourselves, “Does God expect His New Covenant children to give less or more?” Answering this question, we need to remember that Jesus raised the spiritual bar; He never lowered it! “You have heard that it was said …; but I tell you…!” (Matthew 5 & 6).

Training Wheels in the Spiritual Discipline of Giving

It was mentioned before that there is a heated debate among Christians about whether tithing is still a starting place for giving. However, the Church fathers Origen, Jerome, and Augustine taught that the tithe was the minimum giving requirement for Christians. It is also fair to ask, “God, do You really expect less of me – who has Your Holy Spirit within me – that You demanded of the poorest Israelite?”

Sadly, most studies reveal that American Christians give on average between 2% and 3 % of their income. Barna Research reported in 2001 that among the born-again Christians there was an unbelievable 44% increase in those who gave nothing in the previous year. The same study found that only 13% of the born-again Christians tithed in the previous year! The conclusion could be stated like this: Whatever the teaching in our Churches about giving, either it’s not true to the Scriptures, the message isn’t getting through, or Christians are being disobedient.

However, from the beginning of God’s people history, the tithe was God’s method to get us on the path of giving. The tithing isn’t the place to stop, but is a good place to start. Even in the Old Testament there were free will offerings. Tithing isn’t the ceiling of giving; it’s the floor. The tithe can be training wheels to launch us into the mind-set and habits of grace giving.

Malachi declared that the Israelites robbed God by with-holding not only their mandatory tithes but also their voluntary “offerings.” If they could rob God with insufficient freewill offerings, could we be guilty of the same sin? Paul encouraged voluntary giving, yet also described such giving as “obedience” (2 Corinthians 9:13). In other words, God has expectations for us, even when our offerings are voluntary, and to give less than He expects of us is to rob Him. It is obvious from Scriptures that God doesn’t expect us all to give the same amount: we are to give in proportion to how He has blessed us (Deuteronomy 16:10, 16-17; 1 Corinthians 16:2).

Someone could say, “I will start gradually to give to the Lord and I am going to start with 5%.” That is similar with someone saying, “I robbed last year 10 banks, but by God’s grace, I will only rob 5 banks this year.” The idea is not to rob God less; it is not to rob God at all! It is also true that for some people by giving 5% would be a higher sacrifice than for others giving 50% or even 90%! And the well-off and the rich people should never believe that by giving automatically 10% of their income, they fulfilled their obligations, because the other 90% belongs to God, also. He doesn’t look at only what we give; He also looks at what we keep.

Many givers would tell you that tithing was the practice that started them to stretch even more. They tithed and then watched God provide! They saw their hearts getting closer to His Kingdom, and now, years later, they are giving 20, 40, 80, or even 95% of their incomes to God’s purposes. On the other hand, many believers that were financially blessed but did not obey the Lord with their giving discipline saw their incomes being reduced and dwindled down.

Ironically, many believers can’t afford to give precisely because they are not giving. In Haggai, the Lord angrily said to His people: “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the Lord Almighty. ‘Because of My house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands” (1:9-11). If we pay our debt to God first, then we will receive His blessings to help us pay our debts to men. But when we rob God to pay men, we rob ourselves of God’s blessings. This is a vicious cycle, and it takes obedient faith to break out of it!

People often protest when they are asked to tithe that they cannot afford it. But if you ask them, “Would you die if your income would be reduced by 10 percent?”, they would answer, “No.” That’s an acknowledgement that they can afford it, but they don’t want to tithe. It is not easy to tithe, but it is much easier and safer to live on 90% or 50% or even 25% of your income inside the will of God than it is to live on 100%  outside God’s will!

Tithing is like a toddler’s first step: they are not his best steps nor last, but they are a good start. Once you learn to ride a bike you need no more the training wheels. Once you learn to give, tithing becomes irrelevant. There is no problem with Christians that state, “We are not under the law of tithing,” as long as they are not using that as a justification to give less. However, the reality among Christians indicate that most believers need a jump-start to their discipline of giving!

Excellent Giving

Paul called Christians to develop the spiritual discipline of giving: “See that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7). Like trumpet or piano playing, giving is a skill. With practice, we can get better at it. We can develop this spiritual discipline by giving more, giving more often, and giving more strategically. As we pursue excellence in our vocation, we can make giving something we can study, apply, and strive for excellence.

The Macedonian believers gave, “as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability” (2 Corinthians 8:3). What that “beyond” means? It means pushing our giving beyond the point where the numbers logically add up and continue to give when the bottom line says we cannot. “Beyond” means giving by faith!

Why Has God Entrusted So Much To Us?

Jesus declared: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). The more you give, the more comes back to you, because God is the greatest giver in the Universe, and He won’t let you outgive Him.

A great example is R.G. LeTourneau, who invented earthmoving machines. He gave away 90% of his income, and the money came in faster than he could give it away. Amazed at the way God worked in his life, he said, “I shovel it out and God shovels it back – but God has a bigger shovel!”

The prosperity gospel dishonors Christ, since any gospel that is more true in America than Zimbabwe or Indonesia is not the true gospel. Prosperity gospel is based on half-truths. God often prospers givers materially, but He won’t let us treat Him like no-lose slot machine. Giving is an act of worship AND a sacrifice. God’s payoff is very real, but it comes at the proper time, which often may not be today or tomorrow but in eternity (Galatians 6:9).

God has given us considerable material blessings. Have you asked yourselves, “Why has He provided so much?” The Word of God will not let us wondering for too long, explaining to us why we got more than we need: “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).

So that what? Prosperity gospel would finish it, “so that we might live in wealth, showing the world how much God blesses those who love Him.” But that isn’t how Paul finishes it: “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.” These truths bring us to the key # 6:

God tells us why He gives us more money than we need. It’s not so we can find more ways to spend it. It’s not so we can indulge ourselves and spoil our children. It is so we can give – generously.

When God provides more money, we often think, “This is a blessing.” It is indeed, but it is also a test! We, as money managers, have legitimate needs, and the Owner is very generous: He doesn’t demand that we live in poverty and He doesn’t resent when we make reasonable expenditures on ourselves.

But when the Owner sees us living luxuriously in a huge mansion, driving only the best cars, flying only first class, eating at expensive restaurants, buying expensive clothes and the latest electronic gadgets, doesn’t He have the right to raise His eyebrows? Isn’t there a point when, as His stewards, we can cross the line of reasonable expenses? Won’t the Owner call us to account for squandering money that is not ours?  We are called to be God’s servants and we are told it’s required of us that we “prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

It’s like you have some very important and precious you want to get to get to someone that really needs it. After you wrap it up you call the FedEx and entrust it to him. What would you think if instead delivering the package, he took it home and kept it for himself? You would say, “Hey, this guy doesn’t get it! The package doesn’t belong to him; he’s just a middleman, and his job is to pass it from me to the person that it was intended for.”

Just because God puts His money in our hands doesn’t mean He intends for it to stay there!  Paul said that the God who supplies seed to the sower will increase our store of seed. Why? So we can stockpile seed on top of seed? No, so we can scatter it and spread it out that it might bear fruit. Abundance isn’t God’s provision for me to live in luxury; it’s His provision for me to help others live.

God entrusts me with His money

not to build my kingdom here on earth,

but to build His kingdom in heaven.

This summer season has proven to be a full of life.  Many things happened in our community- – weddings, picnics, retreats, and conferences.  But after a more laid back meeting schedule, we’re ready to start again full throttle the 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month.  We pray that this new season be a prosperous one for your spiritually.  May you continue to grow in your experience of God’s grace in Christ!

This Friday at 7:30pm: Join us for some coffee, worship, and a talk on “The Treasury Principle,” which serves as the biblical antithesis to the false teaching of the prosperity gospel.  Come connect & grow with us in community.

Centered:  Relational | Worshipful | Impacting