God's Plumb Line

When you read verse eight, God does something after we have done our part. Did you see it? Once we have given – not because we have to, but because we want to – and have done what we are supposed to do (come into agreement with God about how much He wants us to give) then God does His part. He makes all grace abound towards us for a reason – so that we will have our needs met first and have money above our needs for every good work – money to do God’s work. Strangers Rest, I believe the work you are doing in this Church is a good work. There are givers here supporting that good work. Therefore, God is ready to make all grace abound towards us so that we will have an abundance to continue that good work! My suggestion for a faith budget was simply me asking you to come into agreement with God and believe for what seems impossible. So, this morning we are going to look at what the Scriptures say about God’s plumb line which represents the starting point for our coming into agreement with Him.

When I was a teenager, I worked sometimes with my grandfather during the summer building or repairing houses. My grandfather was a carpenter, mason, electrician, and plumber; a true “jack of all trades” of which he mastered. Once when I was working with him on a new house he was building, he had poured the foundation floor and was starting to work on the foundation walls. I watched as my grandfather took a string with a weight on in and used it to determine if the wall was straight. Then he would tie another string from one end of the wall to the next to ensure the wall was level thus creating a straight, balanced wall. I asked him what were the purpose of the two strings and he told me that it would be used to ensure that the foundation wall was built straight and level. Based on the lines created by the two strings, we began building the foundational wall. Utilizing those two strings ensured that the wall was straight regardless of the slope of the yard. I was amazed at how he did that and knew it was a gift from God since he had no formal training.

As we worked on the wall, my grandfather would check the wall, constantly comparing it to the string. Then he would hold up a leveler to ensure that everything was where it was supposed to be. His string gave him the guide that he needed to make sure the walls were straight vertically and horizontally. My point in telling you this is that the first string with the weight on it was the plumb line and was used to ensure the foundation wall was built correctly. Now, for those of you not familiar with a plumb line, it is simply a tool that is used by masons and other contractors to build walls that are straight up and down, at a perfect right angle to the earth, to align with the gravitational pull.

Now, having said all that you need to know that God has a plumb line. He has a standard. He knows where He wants us to be and how we should get there, and He has provided a path for us to follow if we are willing to take it. As I go through this message this morning, I want you to think about your plumb line. The reason we need to think about this is because if your plumb line is based on mine, then your plumb line is not secure. If your plumb line is based on your parents, friends, society, or any other standard for which you are basing your standards on, then your plumb line is not secure. The kinds of instruments we use to measure our life will often determine what we uncover and how we face life in general. When we begin to examine our plumb lines, if they are faulty – if they are based on the world’s standard of right and wrong – our assessments of where we are will be faulty. When our assessments are off – when they are different from those established by God – we must course correct to mirror our plumb lines to God’s.