Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. (Daniel 4:27)
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:25-40)
Jesus positions himself with the suffering and powerless. Jesus even became such a person, he had nowhere to live without the hospitality of others. (Luke 9:58) Remarkably, righteous Daniel's advice to a king who is threatened with disgrace is to overcome sin by doing good to the suffering and powerless. Why would that be? Why does God want us to fast by doing good to others?
That is what God himself does. If we are to be like the God that gives and sustains life freely and abundantly we will need to be generous givers.
It turns our thoughts from ourselves and thus helps us to be transformed by thinking about Jesus and other good things.
We become aware of reality more clearly, and so we are driven to Jesus to heal and save us and so we are healed and saved.
This is about selfless service, not just giving. Selfless service is the substance of love and love is the fulfilling of the law. Jesus set the example of love, though he had few possessions. Those who have been given great resources to manage must beware lest they make excuses to retain them.
You can't afford not to love, no matter how little you have left. You can't afford not to love, no matter how much you have been given.
Sunday 29 December 2013
Saturday 28 December 2013
Jesus the Super Hero
And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. (Ezekiel 36:23)
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (Ezekiel 36:27)
Jesus is the hero of the Bible. The pre-incarnate Christ guided the Israelites only to have them reject him for an image that misrepresented him. The Israelites repeatedly preferred worshipping as the pagans do rather than as God desires and God sent them into captivity as he said he would. But this made Jehovah look bad in the eyes of the Gentiles, making it harder for them to trust in him and be saved. So Jehovah resolved to bring them out of bondage and work a transformation in their lives that would show that Jesus is the hero not any other man. They rejected Jesus, but the church has the same opportunity. Jesus wants to transform us to be like him and thus show the world how good he really is. The greatest evidence for Christianity is a loving and loveable Christian. Amen.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (Ezekiel 36:27)
Jesus is the hero of the Bible. The pre-incarnate Christ guided the Israelites only to have them reject him for an image that misrepresented him. The Israelites repeatedly preferred worshipping as the pagans do rather than as God desires and God sent them into captivity as he said he would. But this made Jehovah look bad in the eyes of the Gentiles, making it harder for them to trust in him and be saved. So Jehovah resolved to bring them out of bondage and work a transformation in their lives that would show that Jesus is the hero not any other man. They rejected Jesus, but the church has the same opportunity. Jesus wants to transform us to be like him and thus show the world how good he really is. The greatest evidence for Christianity is a loving and loveable Christian. Amen.
Thursday 26 December 2013
Heroic Heavenly High Priest
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; (Hebrews 10:19-21)
We can enter into the holiest because of the blood of Jesus. What does it mean to do that? We can come into the presence of God. What does that mean? We can pray directly to God without a man between us. We have the ear of the ruler of the universe, in incredible privilege. Our sins are removed in some way, or we could not approach God.
The blood of Jesus makes us clean because his blood was spilled on our behalf, his life was taken to we could be given mercy.
The veil represents Jesus flesh according to verse 20. I don't understand the implications of that. Jesus way of coming before God was new, it did away with the old system which was a shadow of Jesus to come.
We do not need a high priest today except for Jesus, who is a perfect high priest that prays for us when we will come to him in our great need. Jesus is the hero, he does the work, all we can do is choose to accept the credit for it and become more like him or choose to resist and become worse and worse.
We can enter into the holiest because of the blood of Jesus. What does it mean to do that? We can come into the presence of God. What does that mean? We can pray directly to God without a man between us. We have the ear of the ruler of the universe, in incredible privilege. Our sins are removed in some way, or we could not approach God.
The blood of Jesus makes us clean because his blood was spilled on our behalf, his life was taken to we could be given mercy.
The veil represents Jesus flesh according to verse 20. I don't understand the implications of that. Jesus way of coming before God was new, it did away with the old system which was a shadow of Jesus to come.
We do not need a high priest today except for Jesus, who is a perfect high priest that prays for us when we will come to him in our great need. Jesus is the hero, he does the work, all we can do is choose to accept the credit for it and become more like him or choose to resist and become worse and worse.
Thursday 19 December 2013
Standing In The Breach
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:6-12)
This gathering in heaven almost seems like a kind of council or parliament. Satan comes apparently uninvited. I believe he claims the right to be there because he took it from Adam. But Jehovah challenges his right to be there on the basis that one man on earth does not have even one toe in Satan's service. Satan argues that "God" has bought Job out, and Jehovah allows Satan to do some limited tormenting. This passage is useful to understand what is happening behind the scenes in our lives. Regardless of whether God prospers us or not, will we not resolve to be an ambassador like Job to keep this world from Satan's complete control? Who will stand in the breach?
This gathering in heaven almost seems like a kind of council or parliament. Satan comes apparently uninvited. I believe he claims the right to be there because he took it from Adam. But Jehovah challenges his right to be there on the basis that one man on earth does not have even one toe in Satan's service. Satan argues that "God" has bought Job out, and Jehovah allows Satan to do some limited tormenting. This passage is useful to understand what is happening behind the scenes in our lives. Regardless of whether God prospers us or not, will we not resolve to be an ambassador like Job to keep this world from Satan's complete control? Who will stand in the breach?
Monday 16 December 2013
Teaching Giving
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2)
7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment… 16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment (Ezekiel 18:7,16)
The verses in Ezekiel are taken from the context of God declaring that despite what some people may think, each person is only punished for his own sin. To oppress the poor and not act in the good way that God commands is actually sin. This raises the stakes.
Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes about the meaning of life. He starts off by explaining that life is meaningless without God. Our passage comes from the end of the book, where Solomon describes the things that are good to do in life. He pragmatically reasons that being generous is wise because hard times may come in the future and you need to have good friends. Many people will take advantage of you, these would not be the kind of wise investment Solomon is talking about. But if you pour out life, means (money) and energy into the church you will make friends that will not turn from you in hard times. Teach others to give selflessly to those who need it. Set an example by doing it yourself. Then when you or yours are in need there will be people ready to give.
Note on title: The title should be read as seen but it's interesting to note that in Koine Greek the word for teaching and giving is the same.
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2)
7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment… 16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment (Ezekiel 18:7,16)
The verses in Ezekiel are taken from the context of God declaring that despite what some people may think, each person is only punished for his own sin. To oppress the poor and not act in the good way that God commands is actually sin. This raises the stakes.
Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes about the meaning of life. He starts off by explaining that life is meaningless without God. Our passage comes from the end of the book, where Solomon describes the things that are good to do in life. He pragmatically reasons that being generous is wise because hard times may come in the future and you need to have good friends. Many people will take advantage of you, these would not be the kind of wise investment Solomon is talking about. But if you pour out life, means (money) and energy into the church you will make friends that will not turn from you in hard times. Teach others to give selflessly to those who need it. Set an example by doing it yourself. Then when you or yours are in need there will be people ready to give.
Note on title: The title should be read as seen but it's interesting to note that in Koine Greek the word for teaching and giving is the same.
Sunday 15 December 2013
Who to Give to
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. (Prov 22:9)
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: (Prov 25:21)
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. (Prov 28:27)
Whenever I think about charitable giving I think to the eventuality that I will run out of money. I think of people taking advantage of my generosity and me going bankrupt. But not only in moral literature but in pragmatic wisdom literature, God promises that you cannot out-give him. As was discussed previously, some discernment should be exercised, or you will undoubtedly go into debt. But giving to genuine needs in measure to how God has blessed you will result in spiritual vigour and not in poverty. It is good for you to give, especially to your enemy. I am not convinced that formally organised charities are included in this command to give. There are thousands of charities that will gladly take your money and may not have need for it. But individuals that are not willing vagrants will normally only accept charity in real need. It is to individuals we personally come into contact that we are to give especially. This will bring the greatest personal blessing and the greatest benefit to the other.
By the way, I give to a charity and to mission organisations regularly, I am not trying to justify myself.
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. (Prov 22:9)
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: (Prov 25:21)
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. (Prov 28:27)
Whenever I think about charitable giving I think to the eventuality that I will run out of money. I think of people taking advantage of my generosity and me going bankrupt. But not only in moral literature but in pragmatic wisdom literature, God promises that you cannot out-give him. As was discussed previously, some discernment should be exercised, or you will undoubtedly go into debt. But giving to genuine needs in measure to how God has blessed you will result in spiritual vigour and not in poverty. It is good for you to give, especially to your enemy. I am not convinced that formally organised charities are included in this command to give. There are thousands of charities that will gladly take your money and may not have need for it. But individuals that are not willing vagrants will normally only accept charity in real need. It is to individuals we personally come into contact that we are to give especially. This will bring the greatest personal blessing and the greatest benefit to the other.
By the way, I give to a charity and to mission organisations regularly, I am not trying to justify myself.
Sunday 8 December 2013
Selfless Servant
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)
16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; 18 (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;) 19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; 20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: 22 Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. (Job 31:16-22) (Words of Job)
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. (Psalm 112:9)
Job clearly understood that acts of selfless service were obligatory for the righteous. It seems a bit of a pity in a way to conclude that charity is compulsory for the Christian because it means we don't get any credit for doing it. There is love in charity but you cannot wait to love people before you help them. You must help them first and then you may start to love them. You shouldn't expect credit for charity. Jesus is helping you out but he requires you to help others out. Jesus will give you infinite riches, there is no greater reward. Do the right thing or you would be better to have your arm pulled off. Doing good for others helps you to be sanctified and ready for heaven.
Jesus is the ultimate selfless servant, you can never be really selfless like him, but he calls you to imitate him as much as you can and he will take care of you (Luke 12).
16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; 18 (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;) 19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; 20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: 22 Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. (Job 31:16-22) (Words of Job)
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. (Psalm 112:9)
Job clearly understood that acts of selfless service were obligatory for the righteous. It seems a bit of a pity in a way to conclude that charity is compulsory for the Christian because it means we don't get any credit for doing it. There is love in charity but you cannot wait to love people before you help them. You must help them first and then you may start to love them. You shouldn't expect credit for charity. Jesus is helping you out but he requires you to help others out. Jesus will give you infinite riches, there is no greater reward. Do the right thing or you would be better to have your arm pulled off. Doing good for others helps you to be sanctified and ready for heaven.
Jesus is the ultimate selfless servant, you can never be really selfless like him, but he calls you to imitate him as much as you can and he will take care of you (Luke 12).
Tuesday 3 December 2013
Generosity: How Much Is Too Much?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: (Isaiah 58:10)
Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. (Job 22:7) Eliphaz the Temenite
God wants us to give our resources generously to those who need them. We need to be careful though to minimise the wickedness used against us. We should give people the benefit of the doubt, but when it is clear a person is a professional beggar that is time to stop. People who do not give like to criticise those who do. When you turn away a wicked beggar he will probably make trouble. Soon you may have wealthy people who only give in public speaking the words of Eliphaz to you. Job was very generous but his friend did not recognise this. Many people quote Job's friends to teach false doctrines, reading Job 22 gives a magnificent collection of popular falsehoods. What is God's assessment of Eliphaz's doctrine?
And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. (Job 42:7)
Feed the hungry and you are feeding Jesus, but beware of professional beggars and self-serving charities.
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: (Isaiah 58:10)
Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. (Job 22:7) Eliphaz the Temenite
God wants us to give our resources generously to those who need them. We need to be careful though to minimise the wickedness used against us. We should give people the benefit of the doubt, but when it is clear a person is a professional beggar that is time to stop. People who do not give like to criticise those who do. When you turn away a wicked beggar he will probably make trouble. Soon you may have wealthy people who only give in public speaking the words of Eliphaz to you. Job was very generous but his friend did not recognise this. Many people quote Job's friends to teach false doctrines, reading Job 22 gives a magnificent collection of popular falsehoods. What is God's assessment of Eliphaz's doctrine?
And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. (Job 42:7)
Feed the hungry and you are feeding Jesus, but beware of professional beggars and self-serving charities.
Monday 2 December 2013
Not a Revolutionary
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. (1 Timothy 6:1)
This last reference was one I did not notice on the list at first, and it is an interesting one to go with Isaiah 58:6. We must break the yoke of oppression in Isaiah but in 1 Timothy we must teach people to submit to their masters. Why would God teach us to do this through Paul? A hint is in verse 6: But godliness with contentment is great gain. If I am a servant I must learn to be content. If I am not a servant I must still learn to be content. In every situation in life I must learn to be content. To do otherwise leads to wasteful fighting. If I were a slave in the Roman Empire I would have been grateful for the assurance that I did not need to rebel against my master. The punishment for rebellion was cruel, it was crucifixion actually, the thing that Jesus went through.
Jesus suffered the penalty for rebellion so we would not have to, though he was innocent. We can be content with our situation and strive out of love to maximise our usefulness to God and man and not get tangled up in useless infighting.
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. (1 Timothy 6:1)
This last reference was one I did not notice on the list at first, and it is an interesting one to go with Isaiah 58:6. We must break the yoke of oppression in Isaiah but in 1 Timothy we must teach people to submit to their masters. Why would God teach us to do this through Paul? A hint is in verse 6: But godliness with contentment is great gain. If I am a servant I must learn to be content. If I am not a servant I must still learn to be content. In every situation in life I must learn to be content. To do otherwise leads to wasteful fighting. If I were a slave in the Roman Empire I would have been grateful for the assurance that I did not need to rebel against my master. The punishment for rebellion was cruel, it was crucifixion actually, the thing that Jesus went through.
Jesus suffered the penalty for rebellion so we would not have to, though he was innocent. We can be content with our situation and strive out of love to maximise our usefulness to God and man and not get tangled up in useless infighting.
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