Random Thoughts

I normally have a plan when I write. Today, I feel compelled to write some random thoughts after reading Luke 6.

1. Behavior modification or transformation? I am sure all of you have heard about the hearsay rule "that's hearsay!" shouted the attorney in court. Normally, there are many statements that cannot be used in court because they lack authenticity. However, there is one exception I want to point out -- excited utterances. The courts recognize them as true. The reasoning follows that what you state just after a heightened state -- like an accident -- is normally true. Jesus says about the same: "For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." You want to know what's in your heart? See what comes out when you are pressed, stressed. The problem is that we have focused on behavior modification in the christian life. God wants to transform your heart.

2. Construction. I have heard many times it said, "if you can trust Him for eternity, why not with all other things?" My response is simple, "I can't CONTROL eternity, I can control things in this life (so I think)." Jesus says, "I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." Here's the problem. If you build a house to withstand hurricane winds of 180 MPH, you don't know if it works until the winds come. But, Jesus says, if you trust me and put into practice my words, WHEN (not if), they come, you will stand. The other problem is that you can't decide to reconstruct the house when the winds come. It's too late.

3. Measuring. We all want the benefit of the doubt in our relationships. And, yet, we are not too willing to extend the same courtesy. Jesus says, "For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Are you into behavior modification or transformation?

Are you putting into practice God's principles?

Are you extending the benefit?

Giving

I wanted to spend a few moments and think about giving and how our lives should be characterized regarding giving. To frame the discussion, I want to note that giving can only occur if we have margin in our lives -- financial, emotional, and time margin. If we have no "excess" planned in our lives, there is nothing to give out of. Second, I do not desire to get into a debate re a "tithe" in this entry. Though, I would note only that re the tithe during the Israel days there was more than one and it occurred under a theocratic form of government. But, I don't want to get into a debate because giving is so much more than a percentage.

I believe giving most clearly demonstrates to the outsiders an inside reality and shows our maturity as believers. Love motivates us to give. Not fear of a lack of a blessing or a curse. We give out of desire not duty. And, many times we mess this up. We fail to realize that it is a honor and privilege that God allows us to partner with Him by giving. In fact, God, "gave his one and only son," to demonstrate His love for us.

Moving on to some general concepts re giving:

1. If we hold on to what we have, we will end up having less: Prov. 11:24 "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty."

2. We reap what we sow. Gal. 6:7 "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."

The hardest thing about the N.T. for believers is that we cannot legislate and say, "this is black and white" on many issues. It is difficult because we want to be able to have clear answers. But, at the same time, this couldn't be any better for His children. The reality is that God wants to abide with us and speak with us. And, if the life were just a set of checklists, there would be no need for communion. So, God gives us some heart questions to make sure our hearts are good. Because on the outside they could look good but upon inspection they could be very hard. Here's his five part checkup, specifically, about giving:

a. Generous. 2 Cor. 9:6. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously

b. Proportionate. 2 Cor 8: 10 & 11. And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.

c. Cheerful. 2 Cor. 9:7. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

d. Consistent. 1 Cor. 16:2. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

e. Sacrificial. 2 Cor. 8:3 "For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing."

Are you generous. What does that mean for you? Ask God. We are to be proportionate, which is pretty simple. The next one can be more difficult -- cheerful. Do you look at giving as an opportunity to partner with God and be used by Him? Are you a consistent giver. Is is a planned event or an emotional one? God tells us to plan it. And, lastly, are you sacrificing "beyond [your] ability." C.S. Lewis has an interesting thought on monetary giving saying that if you can do all that your non-christian friends do at the same economic level, they you are probably not giving enough.

All of these principles can be applied to our giving in relationships, of our time, our abilities, and our money. I'm convinced if we really took time to allow these verses to saturate our hearts, God would take hold and guide us to the application of them to our lives in all areas of giving -- with relationship, your abilities, and your money.

Are you willing for the Shepherd to lead you?

(On a related note, we give more than a "tithe" to the local church because it is where the Shepherd has lead us).

A Not So New World Order

When we say the word "order," I am sure a lot of things come to mind. I order food. I ordered him to do this. But, what I want to speak about is God's natural order -- His Not So New World Order.

God reminds us consistently through His word that there is an order to life that He wants to bring His children to. And, God is a God of order and of plan. For a moment, I want us to think about His order of life in general. I explain.

For example, there is an order to running -- you crawl, fall, walk, and then learn to run. It can't be bypassed. God has an order for His children. Work on the most important first and then the rest will come in time. For example, Prov, 24:27: "Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house." To be very practical, I think the message is, you have got to eat and put the work in first on your fields. Then, you build the house. To build the house and have no food puts the cart before the horse. No food, no need for a house (you won't be alive :-)).

Applying that very simplistic principle, our "outdoor work" as His children is our character. It's like a field because it has to be continually, tilled, plowed, checked for weeds, fertilized, and fumigated to kill insects (sin and self). But, there MUST be a commitment to our fields -- our hearts. If not, there's no sense in building a house. The house to me would be anything else that adds to life. Our tedency, however, is to go after, the car, literally the house, the spouse, etc. without making a commitment to the field. When this happens we put His order upside down. And, so, we must make a commitment to the HARD outside work of our hearts and developing our character. Now, here is the cool promise, as we make that commitment and we push we are told in Heb. 10:36 & 39: "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ... But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."

We will receive what He has promised -- you put in what that means to you. For me, John 10:10b -- ABUNDANT LIFE.

Are you tilling the field? Do you have a commitment to the outdoor work? If so, take refuge in this -- you will receive what He has promised!

I Got Your Back

While growing up, a saying that was popular was "I got your back," or a question "You got my back." Basically, the question was, are you willing to look after me and be committed enough to me that if I need your help you WILL help me. The statement in the affirmative was, "I am in it with you."

As Christians, we are told that if Christ means anything to us, then we should have the back of others. Paul says in Philip. 2:3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

We are told to have each other's backs. It begins with a recognition of what Jesus did for us, then, checking our own motives, making a decision to ascribe worth to others, and because of that we look out for the interests of that person.

Think about it this way for a second in a very simplistic manner: what do you value? Your car, house, watch, boat, shoes..... How do you treat this possession. If it's your car, you may park far away so no one can ding it. And if they do, watch out!. You have ascribed value to that thing. Now, look at a person in your life. Act towards him/her as if it had more value that that thing. How would you behave? You would look to make sure his/her interests are protected. He wasn't "dinged."

Who's back do you got? Who's interests are you saying, I will look out for your interests as well. It's countercultural. Of course, most of the Bible's teaching are. Are you concerned that if you look after someone else's yours won't be? Think about this, "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD." You look after others and trust the LORD to bring you the victory.