Asides

May 9
Leave a comment
Uncategorized Aside

“Be generous, and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped.” (Proverbs 11:25, Good News Translation)

If the word of God is true, then we need not fear the personal expense being generous. If the word of God is true, then we need not avoid the inconvenience of helping others. 

To give liberally of our time, talent, and treasure is a litmus test of our faith in God.  To be eager to help others — particularly those who cannot return the favor — is a counterintuitive investment in our future. 

Be generous and helpful out of obedience.  This is what God expects of his children. Be generous and helpful out of love for our heavenly Father, because doing so makes us partners with Him in His work in this world; and because doing so allows us to achieve His point of view through imitation.

We will be surprised, amazed, and humbled by the faithfulness of God when we exercise our faith in Him in these simple ways.  – Luther

Tagged ,
May 8
Leave a comment
Uncategorized Aside

“Naaman’s servants went to him and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!’” (2 Kings 5:13, NIV)

The disciple of Jesus does well to guard against the popular temptation to be “heroic,” as in aspiring only to do something “big” for God.  God is not impressed with heroism; but God is impressed with obedience — including obedience in the smallest things.

Naaman (a hero in his own right as a warrior and as the commander of the king’s army), was ready to do the big thing for God. However, he became angry when he was asked to do a menial task toward the same result. 

Remember, it pleased God to deploy a youthful novice with a slingshot against Goliath’s sword and the shield; it pleased God to use a little boy’s lunch of fish and bread in the satisfaction of the multitude’s hunger; it pleased God to rely on the simple testimony of common women and men to announce the resurrection of Jesus. 

Be ready, always, to do the “small” thing in obedience to God.  – Luther

Tagged , , ,
May 7
Leave a comment
Uncategorized Aside

“So Elisha left him [Elijah] and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.” (I Kings 19:21, NIV)

Talk about burning bridges — with style!

As disciples of Jesus, when we are committed to Him, nothing/no one else matters; but it doesn’t give us license to be disrespectful or ungracious to others.

When Elisha received from God the call to become Elijah’s successor, Elisha asked for permission from Elijah to properly bid farewell to his mother and father (verse 20).  That was the respectful thing to do.

Elisha then sacrificed the implements of his former life (the plowing equipment and the oxen) and from them hosted a huge “barbecue” for his neighbors. That was the gracious thing to do.

We may not be able to choose our destination, but we are able to choose how we go. Let us strive to be respectful and gracious in all that we do.  – Luther

Tagged , , , ,
← Older posts
Newer posts →