1 Samuel ends with a battle that leaves Saul and his son Jonathan dead. 2 Samuel begins with a person who escapes from that battle coming to David to tell him the news. Thinking that David and Saul are enemies the messenger tells David that he had killed Saul after seeing him wounded. However, this is not truthful. He expects a reward but David is angry that he had killed the Lord's annointed and had the messenger killed. What a turn of events!
Chapter 2 begins with David inquiring of the Lord of his next move. This is something that I really respect about David - he inquires of the Lord before every decision he makes. When I look back at my own past mistakes, many of them are because I failed to ask God for guidance. I shouldn't think myself very smart, God's wisdom is better.
Luke 14 is interesting. Right now I am in sales. I'm always honest with people and try to give an accurate presentation of what they are buying, but it is still generally considered good salesmanship to point out the more positive things and not drawing attention to the negative. If Jesus is trying to recruit for the kingdom, he isn't using slick salesmanship! He is giving the people a painfully clear presentation of what they are signing up for. Jesus says in Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life- he cannot be my disciple." Then Jesus talks about constructing a tower and budgeting. Do you even begin construction if you don't have the money to complete it? In the same way Jesus is telling us to count the cost. Are you up to it? In Luke 14:33 he says "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." Can you give up your family and your money for the kingdom of God? Are you up to it? Do you have what it takes? As I think about what it means to really train not just to finish, but to win, I think about if I am really up to it. Is the cost too great? Am I willing to sacrifice everything? What does he want from me?
I am thankful that I do not have to do this of my own strength. Thank the Lord that he is here to guide my steps. I, like David, can inquire of him and he will show me what to do. I must just be willing and obey.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Luke 12 - 13 Don't worry about money
Sorry for my long hiatus! I have been keeping up with my daily reading but between some vacation time and other morning events I got a little behind and took my normal blogging time to catch up on my reading. I do miss the blogging time though as that is what forces me to process what I am reading and really think about what God is saying to me through the passages.
Luke 12 and 13 are both fairly long chapters so I don't want to comment on everything, but a couple of interesting things:
- Luke 12:8-9 "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God." We don't face political persecution here in the US. I would never deny Jesus because I feared for my life. But I might be tempted to deny him when I think it might hurt me professionally. As I read this I am searching my memories and my heart to see if I am guilty of denying Him when He is not convenient. Also, I am thinking of ways that I might acknowledge him more often and in ways that are more honoring.
- Luke 12:20-21 (Jesus speaking of a rich man who had full storehouses) "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Is anything talked about more in the Bible than how frequently money stands in the way of us having a deep relationship with God? This causes me to reflect back on my comment from the previous paragraph where I say I might be tempted to deny Christ if I fear it may cost me money. God has never ever failed to provide for us. We've had scary times, but it has always been taken care of. I know that God will not let me down, why do I feel like I need storehouses?
Luke 12:29-31 "And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well." Just in case I wasn't paying attention before, Jesus calls us out for worrying. Why are seeking after and worrying about things that God knows that we need? This shows our unbelief. Tell God you need it and then wait on his provision. Thank Him for the skills we have to provide wages. Set your heart on the kingdom of God and let God worry about the needs of this life.
Luke 12:33-34 "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I remember blogging when I read the story of the rich young ruler than comes to Jesus with a perfect record of obedience and Jesus tells him to sell his belongings and give them to the poor and the man goes away sad as he can't bring himself to part with his money. I remember asking the question - what would I do if Jesus was asking me to do that? Oh great, in this verse he is asking me to do that. Now I'm going to have to think about that a little harder. What does it look like for me to give more to the poor?
Luke 13:6-9 Jesus tells the parable of a fig tree that is not producing fruit. When it fails to produce fruit for several years the man who owns it orders for it to be cut down. Why should it use up resources when it produces no fruit? This seems to be another recurring theme: bearing fruit. What does it mean to be bearing fruit? Converting followers to Jesus? The fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23? What can I do to increase my 'fruit production'?
So much these chapters are telling us! I think it all ties together with pursuing a crown that lasts. Not just training to finish, training to win. Loving Him at a level where we willingly give all we have to the poor if it means a deeper relationship with HIm. Do whatever it takes to know Him as well as I can and serve him as deeply as I can. How does my life change when I really and truly take this seriously?
Luke 12 and 13 are both fairly long chapters so I don't want to comment on everything, but a couple of interesting things:
- Luke 12:8-9 "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God." We don't face political persecution here in the US. I would never deny Jesus because I feared for my life. But I might be tempted to deny him when I think it might hurt me professionally. As I read this I am searching my memories and my heart to see if I am guilty of denying Him when He is not convenient. Also, I am thinking of ways that I might acknowledge him more often and in ways that are more honoring.
- Luke 12:20-21 (Jesus speaking of a rich man who had full storehouses) "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Is anything talked about more in the Bible than how frequently money stands in the way of us having a deep relationship with God? This causes me to reflect back on my comment from the previous paragraph where I say I might be tempted to deny Christ if I fear it may cost me money. God has never ever failed to provide for us. We've had scary times, but it has always been taken care of. I know that God will not let me down, why do I feel like I need storehouses?
Luke 12:29-31 "And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well." Just in case I wasn't paying attention before, Jesus calls us out for worrying. Why are seeking after and worrying about things that God knows that we need? This shows our unbelief. Tell God you need it and then wait on his provision. Thank Him for the skills we have to provide wages. Set your heart on the kingdom of God and let God worry about the needs of this life.
Luke 12:33-34 "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I remember blogging when I read the story of the rich young ruler than comes to Jesus with a perfect record of obedience and Jesus tells him to sell his belongings and give them to the poor and the man goes away sad as he can't bring himself to part with his money. I remember asking the question - what would I do if Jesus was asking me to do that? Oh great, in this verse he is asking me to do that. Now I'm going to have to think about that a little harder. What does it look like for me to give more to the poor?
Luke 13:6-9 Jesus tells the parable of a fig tree that is not producing fruit. When it fails to produce fruit for several years the man who owns it orders for it to be cut down. Why should it use up resources when it produces no fruit? This seems to be another recurring theme: bearing fruit. What does it mean to be bearing fruit? Converting followers to Jesus? The fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23? What can I do to increase my 'fruit production'?
So much these chapters are telling us! I think it all ties together with pursuing a crown that lasts. Not just training to finish, training to win. Loving Him at a level where we willingly give all we have to the poor if it means a deeper relationship with HIm. Do whatever it takes to know Him as well as I can and serve him as deeply as I can. How does my life change when I really and truly take this seriously?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Judges 19-21 Is religion in politics important?
This is the story of a Levite who was traveling with his concubine and when they entered the town of Gibeah of the tribe of Benjamin some of the wicked men of the city threatened him. (Very similar to the story in Genesis 19 of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah) This man throws his concubine out to them instead and they rape and beat her to death. The man cuts her body into pieces which he sends all over evil to make them aware of the vile and evil ways in Benjamin which sends them to war.
Judges 17, 18, 19, and 21 all have the phrase "In those days, the Israelites had no king" and two of those were followed with "and everyone did as he saw fit". This is actually the last phrase of the book of Judges. If I remember my history from the book of Kings correctly I don't think that Israel did much better when they had kings. I'm thinking through if this changes how I feel about Christians being involved in politics. It seems that when there is no godly leadership that the country disintegrates into evil behavior. Honestly, I have been skeptical of politicians who use their religious beliefs to help them get elected. I'm honestly not sure what the right balance is. I do know this - God knows the right people to have in our government and leadership positions and so we just need to pray for his direction and that the leadership He provides is best for the spiritual welfare of the community.
I really haven't thought about it this way before. I've always kind of separated religion and politics in my mind. I've been thinking more about their position on taxing small businesses than I have how their influence will contribute to the moral climate. This really gives me something to consider - new lenses to see the candidates through. I can't know their heart, I must rely on God's direction in the voting booth.
Judges 17, 18, 19, and 21 all have the phrase "In those days, the Israelites had no king" and two of those were followed with "and everyone did as he saw fit". This is actually the last phrase of the book of Judges. If I remember my history from the book of Kings correctly I don't think that Israel did much better when they had kings. I'm thinking through if this changes how I feel about Christians being involved in politics. It seems that when there is no godly leadership that the country disintegrates into evil behavior. Honestly, I have been skeptical of politicians who use their religious beliefs to help them get elected. I'm honestly not sure what the right balance is. I do know this - God knows the right people to have in our government and leadership positions and so we just need to pray for his direction and that the leadership He provides is best for the spiritual welfare of the community.
I really haven't thought about it this way before. I've always kind of separated religion and politics in my mind. I've been thinking more about their position on taxing small businesses than I have how their influence will contribute to the moral climate. This really gives me something to consider - new lenses to see the candidates through. I can't know their heart, I must rely on God's direction in the voting booth.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Thanks be to God - seek and you will find
My last blog post was me wrestling with what is the Bible saying about money. Does God really hate for us to have money? To be well fed? What was he saying in Luke 6:24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort."
God rewarded my questioning with a sermon that I think may have been written just for me (do you ever have sermons that feel like that? Like God had things align to fit in your life just when you needed it?) about Proverbs and it's dealing with money.
He starts with some basic money how-tos that Solomon gives in his proverbs. Work every day, save, give, don't squander on foolishness, etc. Started out a little disappointing in light of my questions but he brought it around when he talks about the Proverb of Agur (Proverbs 30) as he was watching Solomon become corrupted by his money. He say in Proverbs 30:8b-9 "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."
And then the pastor spoke of being content in all situations. By focusing on Jesus we can be content whether we have great abundance or great need. Whatever God gives us, that is enough. As the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Sometimes it's just these little things, like the right sermon an hour after a blog post, that just makes reminds me of the Father's great love. I am thanking him for this gift!
God rewarded my questioning with a sermon that I think may have been written just for me (do you ever have sermons that feel like that? Like God had things align to fit in your life just when you needed it?) about Proverbs and it's dealing with money.
He starts with some basic money how-tos that Solomon gives in his proverbs. Work every day, save, give, don't squander on foolishness, etc. Started out a little disappointing in light of my questions but he brought it around when he talks about the Proverb of Agur (Proverbs 30) as he was watching Solomon become corrupted by his money. He say in Proverbs 30:8b-9 "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."
And then the pastor spoke of being content in all situations. By focusing on Jesus we can be content whether we have great abundance or great need. Whatever God gives us, that is enough. As the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Sometimes it's just these little things, like the right sermon an hour after a blog post, that just makes reminds me of the Father's great love. I am thanking him for this gift!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Luke 6 - Examining the difference between it and Matthew 5
As I was reading Luke 6 of course it brings the beatitudes so i decided to compare them side by side. I imagine that Jesus spoke for a long time so the author needed to choose what to include and Matthew chose slightly differently than Luke. The beatitudes in Matthew I know so well. I have memorized it in my childhood and although I don't know if I can recite it without help today, I certainly am very familiar. For the Luke passage that's not true for me so I found this comparison kind of fun to do and interesting. I have a cynical side that thinks that we as an American Christian culture gravitate to the Matthew passage rather than the Luke passage because of the "woes". I think there are other reasons as well, but I have noticed how we try to downplay verses that condemn the rich. Frankly, I'm not sure what to do with them myself. It's certainly something that I commit to prayer.
Matthew 5
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Luke just says poor)
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. (very similar, although not verbatim)
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth. (not mentioned)
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. (Luke just says hunger)
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy. (not mentioned)
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. (not mentioned)
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God. (not mentioned)
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (not mentioned)
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Very similar)
Luke 6
(all of the "blessed"s are duplicates of those mentioned in Matthew)
20Looking at his disciples, he said:
"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
(None of the woes were mentioned in Matthew)
24"But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.
I'm not sure what he is saying here. Is he saying that having money and being well fed are wrong? That people like that won't receive anything from God? What about Abraham, who was blessed financially by God? I think it has more to do with where you place your hope - where do you get your comfort. Maybe I'm just doing the American make excuses for money thing. It's certainly as issue to struggle with.
Matthew 5
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Luke just says poor)
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. (very similar, although not verbatim)
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth. (not mentioned)
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. (Luke just says hunger)
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy. (not mentioned)
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. (not mentioned)
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God. (not mentioned)
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (not mentioned)
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Very similar)
Luke 6
(all of the "blessed"s are duplicates of those mentioned in Matthew)
20Looking at his disciples, he said:
"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
(None of the woes were mentioned in Matthew)
24"But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.
I'm not sure what he is saying here. Is he saying that having money and being well fed are wrong? That people like that won't receive anything from God? What about Abraham, who was blessed financially by God? I think it has more to do with where you place your hope - where do you get your comfort. Maybe I'm just doing the American make excuses for money thing. It's certainly as issue to struggle with.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Judges 9 - The story of after Gideon
First of all, let me apologize for my hiatus. I had a series of morning meetings that threw me off my routine and then spent the next several days just trying to catch up with the reading schedule, which took away from my blogging time. Which I really missed. For me, blogging is accountability and sharing of thoughts, but it is also the opportunity to really process what I just read and hopefully listen better to whatever God is telling me through the passage. It's good to be back!
Today's reading on the schedule (I'm using youversion.com and the plan the OT and NT in a year) is Judges 9 and 10. First let me say that I have found Judges to be a little depressing to read. It seems to be a series to blessings, fall away into sin, cry to God for help, get saved, follow the Lord and have blessing, fall away into sin, cry to God for help, etc. etc.
Almost as soon as they got the land and Joshua passed away they fell away into sin. Then, a neighboring king made them slaves for 8 years and then they called out for help (it took them 8 years!) and so the Lord rose up Othniel (Caleb's younger brother) and they have peace until he died and they fell away again. The king of Moab took them as slaves and this time it took them 18 years to call out to the Lord. The Lord rose up Ehud, who killed the fat king and they had peace. Then Shamgar, then Deborah. Then Gideon. I love the story of Gideon because it is the story of God using us in our weakness to show his own strength. I should've blogged that day because I find it pretty inspiring.
Judges 9, however, is what happened to Gideon's children. Gideon had many wives and 70 children. His son Abimelech wants to rule the place and so he kills all his brothers, except for one that escapes. Later, he is killed in battle. Verse 56 says "Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers." And then after all of his evil that he commits against Israel the Lord raises up Tola and then Jair.
The thing about Judges 9 that struck me is really just my own ignorance. I remember the story of Gideon so well, but the story of his rebellious son I have absolutely no memory of! This is why actually reading through the Bible is so important! I'm learning how easy it is to fall away from God when times are good. I'm learning that God uses hard times to bring us back to him. Honestly, I don't especially like hard times. I want to learn his ways in good times as well! But, I am seeing where the hard times are really the times of blessing in that God is our best reward.
Today's reading on the schedule (I'm using youversion.com and the plan the OT and NT in a year) is Judges 9 and 10. First let me say that I have found Judges to be a little depressing to read. It seems to be a series to blessings, fall away into sin, cry to God for help, get saved, follow the Lord and have blessing, fall away into sin, cry to God for help, etc. etc.
Almost as soon as they got the land and Joshua passed away they fell away into sin. Then, a neighboring king made them slaves for 8 years and then they called out for help (it took them 8 years!) and so the Lord rose up Othniel (Caleb's younger brother) and they have peace until he died and they fell away again. The king of Moab took them as slaves and this time it took them 18 years to call out to the Lord. The Lord rose up Ehud, who killed the fat king and they had peace. Then Shamgar, then Deborah. Then Gideon. I love the story of Gideon because it is the story of God using us in our weakness to show his own strength. I should've blogged that day because I find it pretty inspiring.
Judges 9, however, is what happened to Gideon's children. Gideon had many wives and 70 children. His son Abimelech wants to rule the place and so he kills all his brothers, except for one that escapes. Later, he is killed in battle. Verse 56 says "Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers." And then after all of his evil that he commits against Israel the Lord raises up Tola and then Jair.
The thing about Judges 9 that struck me is really just my own ignorance. I remember the story of Gideon so well, but the story of his rebellious son I have absolutely no memory of! This is why actually reading through the Bible is so important! I'm learning how easy it is to fall away from God when times are good. I'm learning that God uses hard times to bring us back to him. Honestly, I don't especially like hard times. I want to learn his ways in good times as well! But, I am seeing where the hard times are really the times of blessing in that God is our best reward.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Joshua 1-7, Mark 16 Preparing for battle
In Joshua 1 the Lord has a talk with Joshua to prepare him for battle. What does our military do when we prepare for battle? I don't have any military experience but I know they go to boot camp and assumedly learn protocol for different situations, learn how to handle their weapons, study different strategies for war winning.
Joshua is told to prepare a different way. Joshua 1:7-8 says "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, than you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
Ironically, although the point he is making to Joshua is to be successful in whatever he does he needs to meditate on God's law, I was thinking in my head "Day and night? I like to study in the morning but if I did it at night too I wouldn't ever get to read anything else or do anything else." I can't believe that this is the thought I have while reading. Is that the thinking of a person training for a crown that lasts or is that trying to get by?
That's not the person that I want to be. I want to get my success through the Lord. I want to study his word so that I am careful to do everything that it says.
When Joshua fights against Jericho he does pray to God, but he also sends spies so that he can be prepared. God doesn't ask us to close our eyes and blindly follow him without using the brain we have been given. The Lord ultimately fought the battle for them, but they still fought prepared and carried out the instructions.
Joshua is told to prepare a different way. Joshua 1:7-8 says "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, than you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
Ironically, although the point he is making to Joshua is to be successful in whatever he does he needs to meditate on God's law, I was thinking in my head "Day and night? I like to study in the morning but if I did it at night too I wouldn't ever get to read anything else or do anything else." I can't believe that this is the thought I have while reading. Is that the thinking of a person training for a crown that lasts or is that trying to get by?
That's not the person that I want to be. I want to get my success through the Lord. I want to study his word so that I am careful to do everything that it says.
When Joshua fights against Jericho he does pray to God, but he also sends spies so that he can be prepared. God doesn't ask us to close our eyes and blindly follow him without using the brain we have been given. The Lord ultimately fought the battle for them, but they still fought prepared and carried out the instructions.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and curses
I have to admit something. I've been of the thought that the "prosperity gospel" (for lack of a better term) is kind of garbage. What I mean by "Prosperity Gospel" is the thing that I've seen preached in various churches that says "If you believe in God then everything will go smoothly and well for you and you'll be financially rewarded for your faithfulness". I have a couple of problems with that. One is that I feel like it takes our eyes off Jesus. I think it causes us to have an ulterior motive in serving him. No longer are we serving him because of his incredible greatness and his unfailing love, now we're serving him because if we do we'll get a cottage by the lake (there's nothing wrong with a cottage by a lake, but first and foremost we must keep our eyes on Jesus). The other problem that I have is that I know some wonderful and faithful Christians that have had a hard life. God walked beside them through their trials, but they were not rewarded financially for their faithfulness. Are we to presume that they weren't as faithful as God wanted them to be? Was there something lacking in their faith that they weren't given an earthly reward?
So, then I read Deuteronomy 28. The first 14 verses outline the blessings that Israel will receive for their obedience: lots of kids, lots of livestock, defeat of their enemies, abundant prosperity. Verses 15-68 outline the horrors that they will endure for disobedience. I'm not sure what to do with this.
I am reminded of the story found in John 9 where Jesus and his disciples walk past a blind man and the disciples ask "Who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." Deuteronomy 28:10 says "Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord." To me, this means that sometimes God uses hard situations to give us faith and sometimes he rewards faithfulness financially as an example to the world of his goodness and generosity. The point is not the reward. The point is pointing people to God - whatever the situation.
So, then I read Deuteronomy 28. The first 14 verses outline the blessings that Israel will receive for their obedience: lots of kids, lots of livestock, defeat of their enemies, abundant prosperity. Verses 15-68 outline the horrors that they will endure for disobedience. I'm not sure what to do with this.
I am reminded of the story found in John 9 where Jesus and his disciples walk past a blind man and the disciples ask "Who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." Deuteronomy 28:10 says "Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord." To me, this means that sometimes God uses hard situations to give us faith and sometimes he rewards faithfulness financially as an example to the world of his goodness and generosity. The point is not the reward. The point is pointing people to God - whatever the situation.
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