Am I Robbing God?
By Ken Fleeman
King David is described as a man after God’s own heart. As David contemplated his blessings as king he realized that he lived in a cedar house while God “lived” in a tent. The inequity weighed on David, so he purposed to build God a house. God had never asked for a house, yet He ultimately allowed it. David laid up treasures and supplies to build the temple. Solomon also provided abundantly for the new house. The wealth and beauty of the temple far surpassed that of the tabernacle. The Israelites previously gave until restrained in preparation to build that tabernacle. Remember that these are former slaves blessed with newly acquired riches. They willingly parted with them to build a tent in which to serve the God who freed them. (1Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22; 2Sam. 7; 1Kings 7; Ex. 36)
Many Christians display a Victorian (read “sinful”) mindset when it comes to contributing material things to God’s service. We believe that all must be frugal and plain thus investing little in the material aspects of our service to God. It is common to hear complaints about new buildings, additions, remodeling, updating to code or fixtures that are “too nice.” For example, I have a pet peeve when it comes to signs. A handwritten cardboard sign advertising “Free Kittens” touches our hearts but a crudely painted scrap of plywood touting “professional” services does not inspire anyone’s confidence. What does the sign displaying our name and worship times at the end of the driveway “say” about our commitment to what takes place inside the meeting house? Why do many use discarded items and leftovers to cobble together or repair the material house in which we worship the MOST MAJESTIC BEING we will ever know?
The Victorian mindset carries over into our spiritual life. Considering the Lord’s perspective of the widow’s two mites Christians at some time started believing that two mites are sufficient for every need. We forget that the widow gave ALL her living. We believe that we are paying the preacher too much and sometimes the preacher even believes this falsehood. Who in our present day would dare pay an elder to serve? Yet the scripture plainly says do not muzzle the ox treading out the grain. The servant of God is permitted to be “full” in compensation for his service. There is to be no limit to what we are willing to share with those who serve us spiritually. We are to share in all good things with the one who teaches us the word. No one would dare come seeking God’s counsel from a seer of old without a gift. (Mark 12:41-44; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Gal. 6:6; 1Sam. 9)
We rightly believe and understand that God gives the increase when it comes to our service to Him. We live in a material world. Material goods are the tools that God provides. We can and must use them to leverage spiritual good. He who has this world’s goods must share with those in need. Likewise, we are to share in all good things with him who teaches. The Lord will consider a cup of water or a gift of clothing, given in compassion, as a critical component of our eternal judgment. (1Cor. 3:6, 7; 1 John 3:17, Matt 10:42)
It indeed is sinful to place the material ahead of the spiritual. I fear that we have robbed God by withholding our material blessings. If our hearts are right, we can and will give abundantly to the material works and to the spiritual works God places before us. When our hearts are right we will strike a balance between the two and thus face judgment with certainty. (Mal. 3) (9/14/18)
From Tiny Thread to Steel Cable
“And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). “And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1John 5:4). Many years ago it was decided to put a suspension bridge across a wide gorge. How could they build a bridge across such a wide space? In fact, how could they even start? They shot an arrow from one side to the other. The arrow carried across the gulf a tiny thread, and thus the piece of twine across; the twine carried after it a small rope; the rope soon carried a cable across – and in good time came the iron chains the bridge was to hang from. (From 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, by Michael P. Green, p. 136). Although often weak in its beginning, a seemingly small faith can become stronger and stronger and eventually take one to eternal victory.
From Iron Bar to Watch Spring
“Therefore He said: ‘A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come” (Luke 19:12-13). “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1Peter 4:10). One of Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” items pictures a plain bar of iron worth $5. The same bar of iron if made into horse shoes would be worth $50. If it were made into needles, it would be worth $5,000. If it were made into balance springs for fine Swiss watches, it would be worth $500,000. The raw material is not as important as how it’s developed. God has given each of us various talents, and their worth to Him is dependent on how we develop them.
From Mighty Tree to Tiny Beetles
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36). Recently, a huge tree in Colorado fell to the ground with a resounding crash after having stood majestically on a hill for more than 400 years. It was a mere sapling when Columbus landed in San Salvador. Over the centuries it had been struck by lightning 14 times, braved great windstorms, and even defied an earthquake. In the end, however, it was killed by some little beetles. Boring under the bark, they chewed away its fibers until one day that lordly king of the forest came thundering down. Similarly, little, insignificant things often make substantial inroads into our spiritual lives, and if left unchecked can cause our downfall. Idle words spoken, prayer time omitted, too much indulgence in recreation, sports, watching TV, etc., can weaken us and cause our downfall. Let us take heed lest we fall.