Month: September 2022

The BIBLE VIEW #877 — Money

In This Issue:
The Car in the Cellar
The Musings of a Dollar
Money
Affluency Now, Bankruptcy Later
Both Jewels and Life Lost
Applegate’s Cow

Volume: 877     September 26, 2022
Theme:  Money

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The Car in the Cellar
Bill Brinkworth

Years ago, a group of friends met in the basement of a city home.  During a friendly game of billiards, a crazy idea popped up in conversation.  “Wouldn’t it be funny,” one may have suggested, “if we could build a Model-T right here in the basement?”

Soon the group of mechanics was chuckling at the idea.  They all offered to pitch in.  Everyone volunteered to help bring the pieces of the automobile, one by one, through the upstairs doorway and down into the cellar.

The joke and dare became a project.  As promised, each man brought a piece of the car down the steps and into the cellar.  As more pieces arrived, the assembly progressed.  After an extended period, the car was completely assembled: fenders, tires, engine, interior, and every other part.  The professional mechanics even got it running.  What a neighborhood joke the car in the basement must have been.

Time passed.  One by one, the weekly meeting lost another member.  The original builders even forgot about their project.  

Soon, even the house was sold.  The new owners chuckled at what was downstairs, but the car’s novelty was quickly forgotten.

As I recall the story, the house was condemned many years later.  After the residence was destroyed, the old Ford was rolled away and sold.  The house and all the mechanics were gone, but the “treasure” remained.

What a similarity that Model-T is to what happens in many lives.  Little things that really have no importance become far too paramount in lives.

Many lives have been wasted, marriages destroyed, and families split up because priority was given to hobbies, friends, jobs, and “things.”  Once their life is over, the possessions may remain, but what was important was destroyed or never given the priority and time it deserved.

Vast numbers of people have died with quite an impressive number of “things,” but spiritually, they were destitute.  They had all this world offered them but died and went to Hell because their eternal destination never was a concern to them, but their possessions remained.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36

“Things” are not that important.  They give temporary enjoyment, but that joy is not permanent.  Relationships with people are far more important.  Our children, family, and friends should be valued more than temporal things.  

What are we to profit if we have big cars and houses, but our children have had to raise themselves and have ruined their lives?  How are we rich when we have large bank accounts, but our family does not talk with us anymore?  What joy will that fancy car you sacrificed to have bring you when you have no one with which to share it?  

When our life is over, our “things” will remain, but will our influence on others be remembered?  Will our life have made a difference?

When the “house” of our world perishes is what remains that important?  On deathbeds, the shiny frills of this world are rarely mentioned.  

The assurance of Heaven and regrets for poor relationships are usually the primary concerns during our “end.”  Do not wait until death is imminent to get your priorities right!

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” I Timothy 6:10


The Musings of a Dollar
Author Unknown

If money could talk, it would make one of these three speeches:

  • It may say, “Hold me, and I will dry out the foundations of sympathy and benevolence in your soul and leave you barren and destitute.  Grasp me tightly, and I will change your sight.  You will care to look upon nothing that does not contain my image.  I will transform your hearing so that my soft metallic ring will sound louder than the cries of needy widows,  orphans, and the perishing multitudes.  Keep me, clutch me, and I will destroy your sympathy for others, your respect for what is right, and your love and reverence for God.”
  • Or it may say, “Spend me for self-indulgence, and I will make your soul fat and indifferent to all except your pleasure.  I will become your master, and you will think that I only am of importance and power.”
  • Or it may whisper, “Give me away for the benefit of others, and I will return in streams of spiritual revenue to your soul.  I will bless the one that received and the one that gave me away.  I will supply food for the hungry, raiment for the naked, medicine for the sick, and send the Gospel to the needy.  At the same time, I will secure joy and peace for the soul that uses me for others’ needs.” 


Money
Author Unknown

Dug from the mountainside
Or washed from the glen,
Servant am I or master of men.
Earn me, and I bless you;
Steal me, and I curse you;
Grasp me and hold me,
A fiend shall possess you.
Lie for me, die for me,
Covet me, take me —
Friend or foe,
I’m just what you make me.

“I finally figured out why people get nervous and upset when the love of money is preached.  The preacher is criticizing and devaluing their little ‘god,’ and they don’t like their religion belittled.” — B. B.

 
Affluence Now, Bankruptcy Hereafter
Author Unknown

A tribe in Africa elected a new king every seven years.  For seven years, the king enjoyed the high honor and was provided with every luxury known to the savage life. 

During those years, his authority was absolute.  He even had the power of life and death.  For seven years, he ruled, was honored, and surfeited with possessions, but he was killed at the end of the period. 

Every member of the tribe was aware of the king’s fate, for it was a long-standing custom.  However, there was never an applicant lacking for the post.  For seven years of luxury and power, men were willing to sacrifice the remainder of their life. 

They may have been pagans, yet in the proudest civilization of our day, men and women of intelligence and leadership are making the same choice between things now and spiritual bankruptcy in the hereafter.  Scores are willing to be bankrupt through eternity if they may only have wealth now.

Both Jewels and Life Lost
Walter Knight

Some wealthy persons of Pompeii, aware of the coming volcanic destruction, fled, leaving valuables behind as they deemed them worthless compared to their lives.

Among the discoveries in the city’s ruins were the remains of a woman in the act of gathering rings, bracelets, and other valuable articles of jewelry left behind.  The woman delayed the time of her flight and was overwhelmed by the holocaust!   Both her jewels and life were lost.

“Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.  Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.  But ye said, Wherein shall we return?  Will a man rob God?  Yet ye have robbed me.  But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?  In tithes and offerings.  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.”
Malachi 3:7-9.


Applegate’s Cow
Author Unknown

A summer boarder at the Applegate’s farm asked, “How much milk does that cow give?”

“Wal,” replied farmer Applegate, “ef ya mean by voluntary contribooshun, she don’t give none.  But ef ye kin get her cornered so’s she can’t kick none to hurt, an able-bodied man kin take away about ‘leven quarts a day from her.” 

Unfortunately, that sounds like the way many give to the Lord.  Too many are like farmer Applegate’s cow when it comes to giving.

The BIBLE VIEW #876 — Church


In This Issue:
The Importance of the Church
The Good and the Bad
Should We Go to Church on Saturday or Sunday?

Volume: 876     September 19, 2022
Theme:  Church

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The Importance of the Church
Bill Brinkworth

As Paul concluded his letter to the Roman church, Romans 16 was dedicated to remembering Christians he knew in the ministry.  He named 28 individuals and remarked on what they meant to him or how they had served the Lord.

Those people were more than acquaintances to him. The people in the church were close to Paul’s heart.

Going to church for us should also be more than just nodding at people as they pass us in the aisle or shaking their hands as we see them in Sunday school.  The church is where those of like faith and beliefs gather.

Church should be a place removed from the world where we can be with our kind — Christians. In that place, we are no longer a “peculiar” people as the unsaved view us.  We are with members of the family of God.

A church is also where some hear the Gospel for the first time and get saved. It should be a place where the Bible is taught, and people learn more about God’s Word. 

Believers can also hear what the Lord has laid on the under-shepherd’s heart in church and know how they can be better Christians.  It should be where people are burdened for needs they see or hear about and get involved in a ministry themselves.

I know I cannot speak for all churches, as too many have too much of the world in them, but the place of worship should be a place where we can be far from godless living and be closer to God.

In church, other Christians can encourage us. All week we are swimming against the current of the world. It can spiritually drain us. Being around our kind can reward us with advice, encouragement, or even seeing how other Christians handle their problems, so we can successfully run our spiritual race.

Those Christians that are not faithful in church attendance miss the help and encouragement of being around their kind.  It is not just the preaching, teaching, church dinners, and special events that we need.  We need to feel, for the time we are with others of like faith, that we are not alone in this world. We need to know there are others like us.  No wonder Paul addressed many individually.  They were important to him because they were part of his spiritual family — the family of God.

“Going to church is family time.”   — Author Unknown


The Good and the Bad
Bill Brinkworth

Every church has its “good” and “bad” members. I am sure that the church that John was writing to in III John had several of both categories. However, the apostle wrote of three members in his letter.

Two of the members were good representations of what a Christian should be. Gaius was the “well-beloved” (III John:1).  He was most likely a friendly person many loved.

Many reports from the church told John how Gaius was a blessing in the church family (III John:3, 6) and how the man attended to the needs of other Christians (III John:5). It was evident by his care for the brethren that he truly loved the members of his church.

Another blessing in the church was Demetrias. John also said good things about him (III John:12). 

Those two were an encouragement to the apostle’s heart. It is always good and encouraging to hear how people get saved, get their hearts and lives changed by the Holy Spirit’s work, and do much for the cause of Christ and the people of God.

People like those two encourage others by their proof of love for the family of God. They are sometimes part of the reason many stay faithful in church. 

However, even if we are saved, we still have sinful flesh to contend with, and there will often be “stinkers” in every church. In this church, there was one like that. His name was Diotrephes.

Diotrephes had a terrible testimony in the eyes of others. Instead of showing the spirit of meekness the other two outstanding members showed, this man exhibited improper Christian behavior.  He was known for always wanting recognition (III John:9).

I can imagine Diotrephes was one of those that always had something to say.  He was the one that got much of the attention and the glory. 

He refused to accept John the Apostle and any missionaries John sent to the church (III John:10). This discontented man did all he could to talk poorly of John and his work.  Diotrephes even had people kicked out of the church that showed charity to anyone Paul sent to the church.

When man tries to get the glory, which Diotrephes was attempting to receive, the Holy Spirit is grieved.  This type of man ruins the testimony of any ministry.  The work for Christ in a ministry can come to a screeching halt. That is one reason many once-thriving churches are now spiritually dead and doing little for the cause of Christ.  People like this man often become an excuse for many leaving a church.

In every ministry, there are the two types. Good workers are the light in this dark world. They make the church a Christian family.

The evil (III John:11) should be ignored and not be the reason anyone leaves a church.  If one goes because of a “Diotrephes,” one can be assured that the Holy Spirit is not involved in the decision.

If you have one or more of “Diotrephes” in your church, do not leave. Get your eyes and ears off them, and keep them on the Saviour. Jesus will never let you down, which is why you should attend anyway!

“If you see the obstacles, your eyes are off the Saviour!”  —  Author Unknown



Should We Go to Church on Saturday or Sunday?
Bill Brinkworth

The fourth of the ten commandments given to Israel by Moses states, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).  When the Sabbath day was observed, one could not leave his home (Ex. 16:29), could not build a fire (Ex. 35:3), and could not work (Deut. 5:14).  Anyone breaking the rules on Saturday would be put to death (Ex. 31:15).  It was serious not to observe that day properly.  Because of this seriousness, it is understood why many today wonder, “Should I worship on Saturday?”

To understand why today’s day of worship should be on Sunday, one should first know why the Sabbath was instituted.  It was started so that Israel would remember that they were slaves in Egypt and that God had set them free from their bondage: “But the seventh day [Saturday] is the sabbath…  And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day” Deut. 5:14-15.

Modern-day Christians are not to remember they were freed from Egypt’s hand.  The observance of the Sabbath was for the Old Testament Jew.  We are not under Old Testament laws: “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  And the law is not of faith…” Galatians 3:11-12.

One trusting in Christ’s finished work on the cross is free from the law’s bondage: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” Gal.  5:1.  This is why the law of the Sabbath is not mentioned in the New Testament; it is not for those living by faith in the resurrected Christ.  Nine of the ten commandments are (Mat. 19:18, Rom. 13:9) mentioned in the New Testament, but the one about the Sabbath was not reaffirmed.

The significance of the Sabbath changed when Christ came.  Old Testament believers were waiting and looking forward to the Messiah’s coming.  Those that still hold to the Old Testament’s keeping of the Sabbath are saying, by their beliefs and practices, that they are still waiting for Him to come.  Christ has come.  All changed when He came.

Jesus’ resurrection could easily have been on the Sabbath, but it was on Sunday morning, as stated in the gospels (Mat. 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, John 20:1).  His resurrection and many other important events happened on the first day of the week.  Jesus was declared the Son of God on Sunday (Rom. 1:4).  Pentecost also occurred on Sunday (Lev.  23:15-16).  After Jesus died, there was much emphasis on the first day of the week.

Many teach that Constantine changed the day of worship to Sunday in A.D. 321, but the early church worshipped on Sunday before the New Testament was even completed.  The Bible reveals how worship was often every day (Acts 2:46), but soon the main worship day was the first day of the week (Sunday):
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” John 20:19
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” Acts 20:7  Notice the Lord’s Supper was also observed on Sunday.

After Paul purposed to minister to the Gentiles, the Sabbath was never mentioned.  Unless someone was ministering to the Jews directly and met with them in their synagogue (Acts 17:1-2), all early church meetings were on Sunday.  Even offerings were taken up on the first day of the week (I Cor. 16:1-2).

We are not commanded to make one day holier than another: “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike.  Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it…” Rom. 14:5-6.  The Sabbath is still on Saturday, but the emphasis, for one trusting in Christ and not keeping the law, is now on the first day of the week, not the last.  

There is no direct Scripture saying that Sunday is now the Sabbath either.  We are to put a day aside to make God and His Word a priority, along with fellowshipping with His people.  Sunday is the day we need to set aside for the Lord!

“What is your priority on Sunday: fishing, soccer matches, the supermarket, or church?”

The Bible View #875 — Worry

In This Issue:
Look Only at Today’s Challenges!
Why Worry?
It’s Okay; The Master Is Nearby.
Not Trusting God

Volume: 875     September 12, 2022
Theme:  Worry

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Look Only at Today’s Challenges!
Bill Brinkworth

“And he [Jesus] said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.” Luke 12:22

We all have been vexed by what we have perceived as problems.  Worrying about life’s troubles consumes too much time for many.  Sometimes the anxieties are legitimate; sometimes, they are only imagined and never come to fruition.

God has much to say about the sin of worrying in His Word.  Matthew 6:34, along with Luke 12:22, compels us not to worry about our needs and to take life’s obstacles on a day-by-day basis.

We have a lot on our plate for today; do not worry about what may or may not happen tomorrow.  Besides, what situation has worrying ever improved?
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:34

Looking at all the challenges that could happen on another day is very frustrating.  I remember the same feeling when told to weed a 40-foot garden when I was younger.

My mother gave me the chore to weed a backyard flower patch.  I worked a short time and then looked to where I was to finish.  It seemed so far away and impossible.

I worked a little more and then looked to the far end.  I felt I would never get finished and that it was almost a hopeless task that would never be completed.

Then I came up with a different strategy.  Instead of looking at the whole task, I looked no further than two feet in front of me.

Looking up, I saw my short goal and weeded hard to reach it.  When I achieved that mark, I looked up two feet further and made that my next mission.

Never did I look to the end again.  I kept making short commitments.

I remember at one point, which did not seem that long after starting, where I permitted myself to look back at where I had started.  The beginning point was far, far behind me.  I accomplished something.  I was realizing that the task was obtainable.

Again, I returned to my two-foot tasks.  Before long, my next look at the two-foot objective made me realize it was the end.

Small bites at the task and not fretting over the overall picture made the job seem faster to complete and less agonizing.  From that chore, I learned to set shorter goals and to keep plodding at them until the main goal was reached.

Life has many challenges that we will face.  God does not give us more than we can handle.  Be concerned with what God gives us to do today.  When tomorrow comes, he will also give us the grace to meet the challenges we face on that day.

“Worry is a kind of insult to the Lord.  It’s like throwing His promises and assurances back into His face and saying they’re no good and you don’t trust Him.”  –  Fletcher


Why Worry?
Walter Knight

A French soldier in World War I carried with him this little bit of common sense about worry.  It was, “Of two things, one is certain; either you are at the front, or you are behind the lines.  If you are at the front, of two things one is certain: either you are exposed to danger, or you are in a safe place.  If you are exposed to danger, of two things one is certain: either you are wounded, or you are not wounded.  If you are wounded, of two things one is certain: either you recover, or you die.  If you recover, there is no need to worry.  If you die, you can’t worry; so why worry?

“Blessed is the man who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy at night.”  —  Riney


It’s Okay; The Master Is Nearby.
Bill Brinkworth

“And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.  24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.  25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.  26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?  Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:23-26

The disciples had witnessed many of the healings and casting out of demons that Jesus had done. They realized that God could have only done such miracles.  Yet, with all they had seen and heard, they were still men and had weaknesses.

In Matthew 8:23-26, it is seen that Jesus’ disciples experienced a terrible storm at sea while the Son of God was on board. Still, they feared perishing from the overpowering weather, although the Master of the seas, Earth, and planets was close by. All their spiritual victories and observations of God’s power were washed overboard, along with the storm’s waters because of their lapse in faith.

We cannot blame them for their weakness, as we are as guilty as they are. We may have experienced spiritual victories or have seen mighty things in our lives that only God’s intervention could explain. Never will we forget God’s answering our prayers and the times we saw God’s hand change a hopeless situation into one with a perfect, peaceful ending. 

However, like the disciples, amidst all we have seen and been convinced of, we too can be shaken and fearful. Something unexpected and surprising can make us afraid as well.

Jesus was asleep in the Matthew 8 account. Nothing was disturbing Him. He was not pacing the deck and wringing His hands. Jesus was not fretting because He was the answer to their misery.  God’s son knew what would happen in the future, and there was nothing that would occur He could not handle.

When we are frightened for our safety, health, or well-being, remember what the Saviour did for His fellow ship passengers in this account.  Jesus instantly got involved when the disciples came to Him and changed the circumstances. He can also help us when He is allowed in our “boat.”

Jesus was there at the creation of all that is in this world (Genesis 1:26). He created the waters that were threatening the tiny vessel. The Son of God had total control of the threatening winds He had allowed to howl. Nothing took Him by surprise.  Not one thing startled Him then, and nothing is unknown to Him when it happens in our lives today. 

Jesus knows about the doctor’s verdict of an “incurable” disease. He knows we lost our job.  The possibility of losing the house we live in is not a surprise to Him, nor is the whereabouts and spiritual condition of a wayward child unknown to Him. 

He is calm. Jesus is in control. Everything will be all right. The Master is on deck. It will just take a few words from His mighty tongue to dispel all we fear. As long as He is nearby, why should we worry?

“Courage is fear that has said its prayers!”


Not Trusting God
South, 1633-1716

While we fret and repine at God’s will, do we not think that it is better for us to have our way?  Our worrying is saying to God that we are wiser than Him and could contrive things much more to our advantage if we were in control of them.  Does not our complaining suggest that we should run our lives, the world, and not Him?

These indeed are things that man may not utter, but whosoever refuses to submit himself to the hand of God speaks them aloud by his behavior.  Our doubts and fears are a surer indication of man’s true mind and faith (or lack of it).

God, perhaps, is pleased to visit us with some heavy affliction.  Shall we now, out of a due reverence of His all-governing wisdom, patiently endure it, or out of a blind presumption of our own, endeavor by some sinister way or other to rid ourselves of it?

Passengers on a ship always submit to their pilot’s discretion, especially in a storm.  Shall we, whose passage lies through a greater and more dangerous deep, pay less deference to that great Pilot, who not only understands but also commands the seas?

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark.  However, the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” — Plato

The BIBLE VIEW #874 — Doers of His Word

In This Issue:
Spiritual Gluttony
Forgotten Treasure
God’s Commandments Are Not a Burden
The Hedge on the Way to the Mansion
The Natural Man

Volume: 874     September 5, 2022
Theme:  Doers of His Word

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Spiritual Gluttony
Bill Brinkworth

Many have heard scriptural teaching again and again.  From the pulpit, they have heard what God wants them to do.  From television, radio, and biblical-based articles, they have also heard what God’s will and way is.  Christian acquaintances and family members may also have voiced biblical principles.  All the biblical input has fattened their head-knowledge of spiritual and biblical things, but they have not reacted or moved on what they have learned.  They are hearers of God’s Word but are not doers of His commandments (James 1:22-25).

Through preaching, they have heard a clear message on what the Bible says one must do to be saved, yet they have not trusted Christ alone as their way to Heaven.  They have heard how God expects every child of God to tell others how to be saved.  Yet, many have not even tried to tell others how to be born again.

A sermon showed them how it is stealing from God not to tithe (Malachi 3:8-10).  They nodded in agreement with the preacher on that matter, yet they still have never faithfully given to the local church part of what they earned that week.

A radio message convicted them deeply of a sin they were involved in, and their guilt over the sin’s commission has bothered them.  However, they still have not made one attempt to curb their iniquity.  On and on the list could go of truths that have been heard from the Word of God.  

Admittedly, most know what God wants them to do and what He does not want them to do.  Yet, all that knowledge lies in their brain, unused and unapplied.

Many are appalled at those that have gained enormous amounts of weight.  They shake their head as television interviews reveal people that weigh 500 pounds or more.  They diagnose the eater’s problem quickly; the overweight person eats more calories than he is burning in exercise or daily living.  They see how dangerous it is for the heavy one to sit all day in front of the television consuming bags of chips and other junk foods.  Yet, they do not see the parallel between one who eats more than he uses and their spiritual fatness of absorbing the things of God and utilizing very little of what they have absorbed.

Spiritually, they have become obese, yet they do not see their unhealthy spiritual condition.  They hear preaching, read their Bible, go to church often, and even listen to Christian radio and television regularly.

I have heard many “obese” Christians wax eloquent.  They boasted of how many years they had attended church or how much Scripture they knew.  I have often felt dumb after hearing them demonstrate their head knowledge of the scriptures.  They are quite knowledgeable.  However, that feeling goes away when I hear their testimony of never having witnessed to one soul, never having done anything for the Lord but sit and soak, or never having shown any signs of spiritual growth in their lives.

What are you doing with the things of God you have heard?  God did not allow you to learn His ways to appear smart about the things of God or to inflate your pride.  He allowed you to hear His message so that you would do for Him what He desires.  Are you doing what God has shown you to do?  Are you burning spiritual calories?

Scriptures related to this subject: James 1:22-25, Matthew 7:21, Luke 6:46, Luke 11:28, Luke 12:48, Romans 2:13, I John 3:7.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25


Forgotten Treasure
Dr. Edmond

A man once entered a home in Germany and found it very wretched — no fire, no furniture, no food.  Everything bore the appearance of utter poverty.  Glancing around, he saw a copy of the Bible in a neglected corner and when he went away, he said to the poor tenants, “There is a treasure in this house that would make you all rich.”

After he had gone, the people searched the house for what they thought must be a jewel or a pot of gold but found nothing.  They dug up the floor, hoping to discover the hidden store of wealth.  Their labors were all in vain.  One day, the mother lifted the old Bible and found written on the flyleaf these words, “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” (Ps. 119:72)

“Ah!” she said, “can this be the treasure the stranger spoke of?”  So, she told her thoughts to the rest of the family.  They began to read the Bible and were changed in character, and the blessings of God came to stay with them. 

The stranger returned to find poverty gone, contentment and peace in its place, and a hearty Christian welcome.  With grateful joy, the family told him, “We found the treasure, and it has done all you said it would.”

God’s Commandments Are Not a Burden
T. Watson

Cicero questioned what can be called a burden if one carries it with delight and pleasure.  If a man takes a bag of money, it is heavy, but the joy in his treasure far outweighs any burden it may cause.

God gives inward joy that makes His commandments delightful.  That joy is like oil to wheels that makes a Christian run in the way of God’s commandments so that it is not burdensome.

“Obedience is the way to experience God’s greatest blessing.”


The Hedge on the Way to the Mansion
Dr. J. Hamilton

Reconciliation to God is like entering the gate onto a beautiful road, which takes one to a splendid mansion.  The avenue is long, and sometimes it skirts the edge of dangerous cliffs.  There is a fence of hedges to save the traveler from falling over their edges, where he would be dashed to pieces. 

That “hedge” in our lives is God’s commandments.  They were given so that we may do ourselves no harm.  Like a fence of briars, they protect the one traveling the road if he keeps to the route.  They only hurt him when he breaks through the hedge.

Temperance, justice, truthfulness, purity of speech and behavior, obedience to parents, mutual affection, and the worship of God are righteous requirements.  When keeping them, there is a great reward.  Life’s possible “thorns also do no damage.”  Happy is he who stays on the “road” and never feels the pricks of the hedges by breaking God’s commandments.

“A child on a rocking horse is much like many Christians.  They have plenty of motion, but no progress.”


The Natural Man
Bill Brinkworth

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:14

Many people try to understand the things of God, but they never truly grasp their truths, nor do they seem real to them.  They may have studied the scriptures, memorized them, and appeared knowledgeable about biblical facts.  However, there still seems to be a missing connection that does not allow them to grasp the truths from the Word of God.

Preaching also may be entertaining and even interesting to them.  Still, the truths spoken to them from the pulpit never make it to their spiritual heart and change anything.  Many even feel church attendance is meaningless, which is why they seldom attend.

It is often not the preacher’s fault that they “get nothing from the service” or “do not feel convicted.”  I Corinthians 2:14 puts the finger on who some of them are and why a spiritual connection is missing in their lives.

The reason that they are not grasping biblical truths or are not Spirit-led is that they are “natural” men and women.  They are either not born-again and cannot have a relationship with the Lord until they are saved, or they may be so worldly minded that they could not hear the convicting Spirit of God if He blew an air horn in their ear.  A “natural” man is one that is just the way they were born, without any spiritual alterations, illuminations, and connections.

No one can understand the things of God unless the Holy Spirit shows them (I Corinthians 2:11).  A person can have head-knowledge of biblical and spiritual things.  However, unless the Holy Spirit is involved, there will never be a connection between what the brain knows and what the spiritual “heart” believes.

Well-educated preachers have often been in left field regarding understanding God’s desires because they were under their power of understanding and not the Holy Spirit’s.  Education alone does not make the “connection.”

Preaching and the things of God are not appreciated and are meaningless to a “natural” man.  However, preaching God’s Word is essential to a saved person.  The exhortation of God’s Word and its teaching are spiritual food to a believer.  It encourages, guides, and strengthens a child of God.  To that person, it is foolish not to be at church, where God’s Word is taught.