Know Your Bible

VOL. 10 January 1, 2012 NO. 49

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How Much, How Many, How Often?

There is nothing more completely opposed to the true spirit of Christianity than the attitude back of the questions “How Much, How Many, and How Often must I serve the Lord?” It is appalling that some would argue such.

Years back a man handed me a paper which listed his income, rent, food bill, utilities, etc., and said “Now you have the facts. Tell me how much I must give to the Lord?” I asked if he thought he should visit the sick, help the needy; and when he said he did, I asked “How often?”.

He seemed a bit puzzled, so I suggested 50 times per week, and he thought he would be well to get in that number of calls. But I persisted: “On Saturday afternoon when you have just made your fiftieth call and are on your way home, you meet a brother who is destitute, obviously worthy, and you have the means to assist him. Do you say, “I’m sorry I cannot help you now. I have made my 50 calls for this week--but hang in there, drink water and I’ll see you Monday.”

How does one measure service that is patterned after God’s love for us?

If a fellow just must have figures or percentages, he should be given them from Scriptures: like 100%. “for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12:44) or “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33). Are you amazed? (Matthew 19:25)

A Christian does not dole out an hour or two, a few dollars, or a pound of mercy for God. He gives first himself (2 Cor. 8:5; Mt. 16:24) and from then on his service is limited only by ability and opportunity. That’s the meaning of “as prospered” (1 Cor. 16:2). i.e., in keeping with what God has given you. God gave life to Stephen, and when the service of God called for it, Stephen gave it back to God (Acts 7:59).

When Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Mat. 22:37), He left no place for “and ten percent of thy money and one hour per week of thy time”. I believe Jesus will go fishing with you (Lk. 5:4f); but don’t forget, you are doing it on His time.

---Robert Turner

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What Price For Foolishness

What some will pay for a moment’s reckless folly is recorded again and again in the Book of Ages. Do you think these got their “money’s worth”?

1. ADAM and EVE, for one bite of luscious fruit when they were not even hungary, brought sin, suffering, shame and death upon themselves and the human race. (Genesis 3)

2. LOT’S WIFE, revealing her longing for the things that pertain to the earth, took one look back at Sodom and became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19)

3. ESAU, to satisfy one day’s fleshly hunger, lightly esteemed his birthright and forfeited his right to the ancestry of Christ. (Genesis 25)

4. ACHAN, for a garment he could not wear, and silver and gold he could not spend, paid with all his possessions, his family and his life. (Joshua 7)

5. SAMSON, for the caress of a hypocritical woman, lost his will, his strength, his liberty, his eyes and finally his life. (Judges 16)

6. DAVID, to enjoy another man’s wife, hands to posterity a tale of his life with adultery, shame, and tears, boldly written for all to read. (2 Sam. 11)

7. AHAB, coveted another’s little vineyard, permitted his wife to have its owner killed, claimed it for his own, and heard his funeral preached in these words: “In the place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall the dogs like thy blood, even thine.” (1 Kings 21)

8. JUDAS for thirty pieces of silver, which he couldn’t find occasion or conscience to use, took his own life in shame and despair. (Mat. 27)

These examples could be multiplied but they are sufficient just here. Could these have called back their days after learning their lessons, how differently would have been the history of the world. When we consider the price paid for sin, WE MUCH CONCLUDE IT IS NOT WORTH IT! Surely we do not suppose ourselves smart enough to out-smart God, and get by with sinning and not pay the “wages” of it.

---Copied

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"A Little Fellow's Dad"

I may never be as clever as my neighbor down the street,

I may never be as wealthy as some other men I meet;

I may never have the glory that some other men have had,

But I’ve got to be successful as a little fellow’s dad.

There are certain dreams I cherish that I’d like to see come true,

There are things I would accomplish ere my working time is through;

But the task my heart is set on is to guide a little lad

And to make myself successful as the little fellow’s day.

It is that one job I dream of; it’s the task I think of most;

If I’d fail that growing youngster I’d have nothing else to boast;

For though wealth and fame I’d gather, all my future would be sad,

If I failed to be successful as that little fellow’s dad.

I may never get earth’s glory; I may never gather gold

Men may count me as a failure when my business life is told;

But if he who follows after is a Christian, I’ll be glad---

For I’ll know I’ve been successful as a little fellow’s dad.

---Copied

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