Followers Are Good Stewards
Grady Henley
Part 03 of Lesson 09 of the Follow Me Series
Key Verses:
1 Tim 3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
1 Tim 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
INTRODUCTION:
Our key verse for this series of studies on ‘Follow Me’ has been 1 Tim 3:14-15. The reasoning behind this is as followers of the Living God, there is a certain manner in which we ought to conduct ourselves in and out of the house of God. The church is a living organism and belongs to the Lord. Therefore, each of us ought to know how …to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, 1 Th 4:4. That is, our body is sanctified unto the Lord so that all that is accomplished is to honor Him.
I recall many years ago my parents giving me explicit instructions: “Behave yourself!” I was told this several times at church, and each time I left home on excursions with my friends, that commanded went with me: ‘Behave yourself!’ There was not doubt in my mind what my parents meant. I still carry those solemn words with me today: “Behave yourself!”
The instructions on proper behavior were started very early in my life. There was seldom any doubt in my little mind as to what was or was not bad behaviour. I knew the consequences of improper behavior: correction.
Prov 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Foolishness was bound in my heart. I got it as an inheritance from my dad. My dad got it from his dad, who got it from his dad. This foolish inheritance, handed down from Adam, is bound in all our hearts. Even the new birth will not rid us of it. What the new birth does is it gives us our only avenue of controlling those foolish impulses that can get us in more trouble than we can get out of in this life.
If moms and dads do not deal with the foolishness bound in the hearts of their children, that foolishness will manifest itself at every opportunity. The only way to address it is for dedicated parents to beat it out of us. (Perhaps that is why my dad was often heard saying, “If you do not behave, I am going to beat the devil out of you!” Ü
A righteous respect of authority instilled in our hearts at an early age from our parents will carry over into our Christian life as well. Does it guarantee that each of us will always make the right decision? No, but for those of us that attempt to follow the Lord, the work accomplished by our parents in the areas of conduct, exhorts us to have greater respect for God’s words in our heart and in the application of His precepts and principles in our daily existence.
The key to us becoming faithful followers of the Lord is love, discipline, and obedience. If our parents did not put those redeeming qualities in our life at an early age, and if one is accustomed to doing things according to that song “My Way,” their maturing process in the Lord may be one of difficulties. It can be done through loving the Lord more than self, and by exercising self-discipline so that obedience to the words of God are second nature. If we fail to be faithful followers, then as our parents righteously punished us for bad behaviour, so also will our heavenly Father, Heb 12:6.
There is an old law that states something to the effect: “Two matters can not occupy the same space.” A classic example is two cars meeting head on in an intersection. The injuries and damages suffered are in direct relation to the impact of the objects.
This same concept is true in spiritual matters as well. The bible tells us that a man cannot serve two masters. He will hate one and love the other, Mat 6:24. As injury was inflicted by impact in the car crash at the intersections, so also will harm befall the person attempting to serve two masters. This injury may be physical or it may be spiritual. Regardless, the pain will be real.
From that passage in Proverbs relating to foolishness being bound in the heart of child, an important spiritual precept is learned and that precept is: ‘if we do not remove foolishness from our heart, we will be hindered in bringing forth the good treasures placed there by our Creator.
Mat 12:35, Luke 6:45. Two conflicting items cannot occupy the same heart. James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Those good treasures will lay dormant and often subdued by the abounding foolishness of wicked treasures. God fully intended for those good treasures to be used in His perfect will for our lives.
One day we will stand before God and give an account of our stewardship. We ought to be preparing self so that we will have an acceptable answer to the Lord, Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Being faithful with our treasures is the third part of our stewardship. Too many times we tend to think of our treasures as being money in the bank or the only treasure the Lord wants from us is our tithes and offerings. What saith the scriptures?
Lesson Text:
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
I. FROM YOUR TREASURE
It was the Lord that told us what evil was in the heart of man, Mark 7:21-23. It was the prophet Jeremiah that asked and answered who knew the heart of man, Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Did we fully understand that last phrase? God is going to reward us for the fruit of our doing. If we do not remove foolishness, it will be our undoing. If we understood, then we will not be surprised at the Judgment Seat of Christ, 2 Cor 5:10. The Lord is going to give us exactly what we have coming.
Knowing that righteous judgment is forthcoming, how then can we, as faithful followers, bring forth the good treasure out of our heart so that those riches are fruitful for the Lord and His calling in our lives? Eccl 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
A. Good Things From The Treasures Within Your Heart.
What good things are found in the heart of man? Furthermore, if there are any good things there, who put them there? They surely did not come forth from man or as acts of evolution. Man would not go forth of his own accord and find some good treasures and place them in his heart and mind. Foolishness prevents him.
Those good thing in our heart came from the Lord, James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. These were placed there so that in our daily conduct we would manifest His love and workings in our lives to the lost world. He fully expects those treasures entrusted unto us to increase in value. Was this concept not so in the parable of the pound?
Have you considered the good treasures in your heart? Are you allowing those treasures to grow and increase in value? Do you know what those treasure are? Have you taken stock of their increased value (their fruit)?
1. A Godly heritage, Gen 18:19.
Have you ever pondered the relationship Abraham had with the Lord? The bible says Abraham was called the friend of God, James 2:23. That verse was not added just to fill space. Once we think upon the communication Abraham had with God in Gen. 18, we understand the relationship between Creator and creation was more intimate. Their relationship did not happen overnight. It grew with each ordeal and blessing this mighty man of God endured and enjoyed
That day when the Lord arose from dining at Abe’s house, and set off towards Sodom, He said something that causes us to jump forward a few hundred years where we read: Psa 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. See also: Jer 11:20, 17:10, Rev. 2:23.
What we find by comparing scripture with scripture is the Lord knew the heart of Abraham and makes a bold statement concerning His faith in His servant. (Seldom do we consider that God has faith in us. Regardless, He does. When we disappoint Him, it is because He had faith in us to do such and such or say the right thing in some situation, wherein we acted opposite of what we should have.)
In that statement by the Lord, Gen. 18:19, we find one of the many priceless treasure placed in the heart of man by his Creator and that treasure is a Godly heritage. God said I know him! I tried him and found him to be a man of integrity and one of his word!”
This is in essence the Lord saying I have placed my faith in Abraham so much so that he will do my will and raise the children given to him in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Abraham would leave a Godly heritage for his children. At the time God made that statement Ishmael was his only son. Regardless, Abraham had the promise that God was going to give him more children. Those children would be raised to fear the Lord and keep His commandments.
Prov 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Parents, what heritage are you leaving your children? Is it material wealth of which will cause conflict over who received the bigger share?
QUOTABLE:
Someone once asked about the estate of a rich man and inquired to a friend, “How much money did so-and-so leave at his death?”
To which his friend replied, “All of it!”
The wise man of the bible said it was vanity to work hard, obtain wealth under the sun, and then to leave it to someone that would waste your labors of which you left under the sun, Eccl 2:18-22.
The phrase ‘under the sun’ appears 29 times in scripture with all 29 of them being found in one book of the bible that examines every aspect of life, living, making money, and toils under the sun. That book of the bible is Ecclesiastes. King Solomon examined life from every angle. By the time he finished, he realized that the only thing worth having was a relationship with God that was pleasing unto Him. (I have often wondered if King Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs after Ecclesiastes.)
Just what is the dollar value of a Godly heritage? Here is something that has floated around since before the internet. I am posting it as truth.
“THE DESCENDANTS OF AN ATHEIST - AND A CHRISTIAN!”
From a book called: “America is Too Young to Die”, by Leonard Ravenhill. The book contains this startling quotation:
Max Jukes, [an] atheist, lived a godless life. He married an ungodly [woman], and from this union there were:
1. 310 who died as paupers,
2. 50 were criminals,
3. 7 were murderers,
4. 100 were drunkards,
5. In addition, more than half of the women were prostitutes.
6. His 540 descendants cost the State one and a quarter million dollars [before inflation].
Then there is a record of a great man of God, Jonathan Edwards. He lived at the same time as Max Jukes, but he married a godly [woman]. An investigation was made of 1,394 known descendants of Jonathan Edwards, and here are the results:
1. 13 became college presidents,
2. 65 college professors,
3. 3 United States Senators,
4. 30 judges,
5. 100 lawyers,
6. 60 physicians,
7. 75 army and navy officers,
8. 100 preachers and missionaries,
9. 60 authors of prominence,
10. One Vice-President of the United States,
11. 80 public officials in other capacities,
12. 295 college graduates, among whom were governors of states and ministers to foreign countries.
13. Jonathan Edwards’ descendants did not cost the state a penny (quoted in “America is Too Young to Die” by Leonard Ravenhill, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany Fellowship, 1979, p. 112).
Today, in the name of tolerance, multiculturalism, and separation of church and state, we are
told that God must be kept out of public view. It is even wrong to say “God bless America” or “Merry Christmas,” according to these “politically correct” demagogues. Instead of the blessings that came to Jonathan Edwards’ progeny, we see a growing multitude like the descendants of Max Jukes! “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
There is great wealth in leaving a Godly heritage unto your children. It is worth more than any great sum of money, Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Lay up treasures in heaven and not under the sun. Why leave treasure under the sun when you are under the sod?
2. A good name, Prov 22:1, Eccl 7:1.
Not only is a Godly heritage a treasure to pass onto our children but a good name is a priceless treasure as well. How many good men do you know? When I say good men, I am talking about men whose character would reflect Godly principles pertaining to truth, honesty, and integrity. If we should begin to try to count them, we might find that they are difficult to find. Men, that are loyal to the things of God, are a rare commodity.
A good name is to be chosen before great wealth. If you were given the choice to choose between a good name and great wealth, which would you choose, knowing full well that the love of money is the root of all evil, 1 Tim 6:10? Would you love the money more than a good name? Would you try to have both, realizing of course that a man cannot serve two master; that two opposites will cause conflicts within your being?
When we consider just who a good man might be, we might want to consider the New Testament preacher by the name of Barnabas. Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. The Holy Spirit inspired Luke to tell the world for all succeeding generations that Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and faith! That is quite a testimony coming from the Holy Spirit! What the Holy Spirit testified of Barnabas was the same thing God testified about Abraham, in that both these men were known by God and God trusted them!
3. Barnabas was a good man, Acts 4:36.
The first thing we read about this good man named Barnabas is he is from the tribe of Levi. As such, he was accustomed to the Law and knew what was required of him.
The second thing we find is he was a landowner. He sold his land and gave the money to church. It would be doubtful to say that he sold his inheritance, for Jewish law would not allow the inheritance to be sold forever.
Because he sold property and gave the proceeds to the church, tells us he has a giving spirit. The world observes his actions and thinks something to the effect: “This guy is a loser! He had land; sold it; and gave the proceeds to the church. This guy lost the value of the land and the money as well. He is a two-time loser!” Such was not what the Holy Spirit testified of him.
The third thing we find about this good man is he had faith in his fellowman and he also had faith in the changing affects of the new birth upon the heart of man. This is revealed in Barnabas bringing Saul to the apostles, Acts 9:27. This may seem trivial until one considers the reputation of Saul, Acts 9:26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. Note that the testimony of a good man carried more authority than the reputation of the bad man Saul.
The next thing we find Barnabas doing is he acts as a witness for the church at Jerusalem. The local church sent the good man Barnabas to Antioch. It seems there was a revival taking place in Syria and the church at Jerusalem wanted to know the truth of the situation. They sent someone they could trust. Again, the Holy Spirit confirms that he is a good man, Acts 11:24.
4. Try me?
Barnabas opted to give money to the church and live by faith, established himself as a good man. Abraham, by refusing to take money at the hand of a pagan king establishes himself as a man of faith, Gen 14:21-23, so that others could not say they made Abraham all that he is. Man tries to make himself into something he is not in the shortest time possible. Minimum investment; maximum return. God does not work that way and a wise man knows this.
Instead of Abraham and Barnabas allowing some man or situation to establish their reputation, they opted to allow the Holy Ghost to make them into what He wanted them to be. God used each situation in life to mature these men, Isa. 28:10.
These men were willing to be tried by the Lord so that the good treasures in their hearts would bring forth interest and they will one day be rewarded according to the fruit of their doing.
5. Which will it be?
§ A good man has a good name.
§ A good man gives; an evil man takes.
§ A good man is known as such by those of whom he associates.
§ A good man realizes the treasures in having a good name. A fool will cast aside a good name for a moment’s pleasure.
§ If you have to choose between great wealth, a good time or a good name, which will you choose?
§ Will the Holy Spirit be your character witness as He was that of Abraham and Barnabas?
§ Will the Lord have as much faith in you as He did in Job when the Lord inquired of Satan: ‘Hast thou considered my servant Job…”
Which will it be?
B. Good Things From The Treasures in Your hand.
No only do we have good treasure in our heart, we also have good treasure in our hands. These good treasures in our hands represent our opportunities of service and they reflect upon our spiritual gift(s) and how we use them.
Jer 23:23 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
1. What is that in your hand, Ex. 4:2?
Each morning we arise from our beds, leave our home, and enter the work place with the opportunity to put our treasures to work. If we are wise, we will not allow the day to go by without ensuring that our treasures are increasing in value.
The first three to four chapters of the book of Exodus tells the story of a man who thought that he had no treasures. This man thought his life would remain as it had. He was a wanted man and must therefore avoid Egypt. Furthermore, he believed he was not eloquent enough to be used for anything save herding sheep.
God revealed to this man that there was a work that needed done and that Moses was just the man for the job. Moses was walking on the backside of the desert, minding his own business and if the Lord had not intervened, he would have continued there until his death. While tending the sheep, he saw a glow of light and observed a bush burning without being consumed.
Thinking within himself, he probably said, ‘I think I’ll take a closer look. A bush burning without burning up is something you do not see everyday. I think I will just mosey over there and take a look-see. Besides, it will be a good topic of discussion tonight at supper!”
Once He got close to the bush, Someone called his name and told him to take off his shoes. After he was barefooted, God began to talk with him.
“Moses, what is that in your hand?”
“Well, you see Lord, this is a rod. Some folks call it a shepherd’s staff. Others just call it a big stick.”
“And, just what is the function of the rod in your hand?”
With firm conviction Moses answered. “Lord, this rod is the tool of my trade. It has a vast number of usages. Over that past 40, years since I left Egypt, this rod has been used to beat off the wild beast that attack the flock. It is my leaning post when I am tired. I use it to feel my way at night. I have used it to herd the sheep. Sometimes, I use it gently and at others, I wield it with more force. This particular rod has a good feel in my hands. It is faithful and has not failed me lo, these many years! I would be lost without it!”
Now, that particular conservation recorded above did not happen like that. What was recorded in the book of Exodus pertaining to Moses’ encounter with the LORD was recorded for our benefit. We can learn much from the conservation as recorded. Things like:
1. God’s call to service is always personal, Ex. 3:4.
2. God’s call to service demands a response, Ex. 3:4, 1 Sam 3:9…speak LORD, for thy servant heareth…Here am I, send me, Isa. 6:8.
3. We cannot stand before God after walking in the world or in our self will unless we pull off our shoes, (become humble) wash our feet. Our feet are beautiful only if we are spreading the gospel, Rom 10:15.
4. In God’s presence we stand on holy ground, Acts 7:33.
5. Once God calls, there is no doubt with Whom we are dealing, Ex. 3:4, Acts 9:5.
6. Once we realize with Whom we are dealing, we ought to be afraid, Ex. 3:6.
7. When God calls us to service, it is to serve someone that is in a worse spiritual conditions than we are and therefore, God calls us to relieve their burden and help them, Ex. 3:7-9.
8. Those He calls, He also equips, Ex. 4:14-17.
9. No excuse is acceptable unto the Lord, Ex. 3:11 to 4:116.
10. If God was angry with Moses and his lack of obedience, reckon He becomes the same way with us?
11. God will use that with which we have in our hand, Ex. 4:17. Keep in mind that every thing we have was a direct results of what He created.
Every day we ought to look at what we have at hand and ensure that we are using it for the Lord. With Moses, it was a rod. With the Apostle Paul, it was zeal. With Elisha, it was Elijah’s mantle.
2. I go a fishing, John 21:3.
For the Apostle Peter, that which he had in his hand was a fishing net. If there is one thing we can say about Peter, it was he loved to fish. He was probably the resident fishing expert on the Sea of Galilee. If someone wanted to know if the fish were biting or what type of net to use, all they had to do was ask Peter.
One day shortly after the resurrection of the Lord, Peter decides to fore go all the things he had learned and been a witness to for the past three and a half years and states boldly, I go a fishing, John 21:3.
This statement is remarkable for in the four gospels, the words ‘I go’ are there 26 times. Of those 26 occurrences, 23 of them occur in the gospel of John. Of those 23, 22 of them were used by the Lord and the one lone usage of the words ‘I go’ were spoken by Peter when he said, “I go a fishing.”
Once Peter firmly stated he was going a fishing, about half of the local New Testament church body decided to go with him
3. Local church divided over fishing trip.
There are two main thoughts to gleam from their actions that day when about half the disciples of the Lord decided to go with Peter:
1. It was fun to spend time with Peter.
§ It seems he was a great guy to know and enjoy the activities centered around fishing.
Verse three of John 21 tells us that (1) Thomas, (2) Nathanael, Zebedee’s boys [(3) James and (4) John], and (6) two other disciples went along with (7) Peter. Seven of the eleven disciples went with him.
§ That which was in his hand that day was his personality. Behold the influence this one man had over the local church and how he used it!
2. If his personality was not what caused the other disciples to go a fishing, then perhaps all those that went fishing felt that there was nothing to gain by continuing to follow the Lord.
§ Perhaps they reasoned that Jesus tried to get something started that would rally the Jewish nation but Rome and the Jewish counsels were just too powerful. The Master’s movement was real. It was fun, but right now they would heartily affirm that it was not real fun to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was time to take up the old way of life again.
Peter, what treasure is in your hand today? How will you use it to the honor and glory of the Lord? How will you use that winning personality and fishing net today?
3. Lovest thou me more than these, John 21:15?
The context of John 21 reveals they fished all night and caught nothing. The next morning a guy on the shore shouts out to them and tells them to cast the net on the right side of the boat.
Probably after fishing all night without landing a thing, they are ready to try anything. They followed the advice given and the catch was great! Someone recognized the Lord and soon the others in the boat recognized Him as well. Peter, was naked and decided that in the Lord’s presence he ought to get dressed.
Rowing to shore, they find Jesus there with a fire going and some fish on the fire before they even hauled the catch ashore. After they dined Jesus asked some pointed questions to the great man Peter. He was asked three times if he loved the Lord.
Some people think that Jesus referred to the other disciples when He asked Peter if he loved Him more than these. I believe the Lord had something else in mind and that was He wanted Peter to confessed just what it was he loved more than he loved his Saviour. A deeper study of scripture reveals the Lord referred to the meat upon the fire, that being the fish, and all the fun involved in fishing.
The reasoning for such thinking is Peter dropped that fishing net three and a half years ago, Mat. 4:18-21, and became a fisher of men. Now, here he is back to the old way of life and that old way of life was affecting one half to two thirds of the local church body.
Peter, there is a treasure in your hand. Be careful to today how you use it. Your service has influence over a vast number of people, some of which you are unaware of how you are influencing them.
Is your treasure at hand increasing or decreasing in value. Is the treasure in your hand uniting or dividing?
C. Whatsoever Thy Hand Findeth To Do, Eccl 9:10.
As we contemplate upon these men, Moses, Peter, and Barnabas, we are reminded of the that passage in the book of Ecclesiastes, where we are told that whatsoever our hands find to do today, we need to get busy doing it.
There are twelve chapters in the book of Ecclesiastes. By time King Solomon pens chapter nine, he is summing up the folly of man and man’s foolish ways. Now that King Solomon is older and wiser (wisdom is obtained via experience. Recall that directly after he asked the Lord for wisdom, he had to make a decision) he tells us that the only things that matters are the things we do for the Lord. He also informs us that if we ever intend to do anything for the Lord, today, right now is the time to do it. When Peter said I go a fishing, he got up right then and went fishing.
Hence, this warning of doing what our hands finds to do is intensified in the opening passages of chapter 12. Old age will begin to take its toll on these bodies. If you procrastinate in enriching the treasure of your hand, you will realize too late that your body will not do what you want it to do. This is because illness, old age, and foolish decision have taken their toll.
Today while you have your health, utilize the treasure at your disposal placed there by our Creator. These treasure will increase or decrease in value. The choice is ours.
II. OUT OF THE EVIL TREASURE OF YOUR HEART
Headlines in Oklahoma Territory newspapers screamed; “THERE’S GOLD IN THEM THAR HILLS!” THE FUTURE MINERAL DISTRICT OF AMERICA”, GOLD ASSAYS $360.00 PER TON AT WILDMAN”, $2,000.00 A TON STRIKE AT MOUNTAIN PARK!” Over 5,000 miners and prospectors flocked to the Wichitas from all over this country and others.
http://rebelcherokee.labdiva.com/kcgold.html
Yes, there was gold in them there hills. Years ago when gold was discovered people packed up and headed for the gold fields with one thought in mind: Get rich quick! There was gold there and it was free. All you had to do was dig it, pan it, or pick it up off the ground. Hurry and get there before it was all gone!
Many of those that fell for the get-rich-quick ‘Big Rock Candy Mountain’ idea realized too late that those that got rich quick were few. The others remained poor. There was no free gold. It cost something to mine it. It might cost a life just to keep what few ounces they found.
QUOTABLE:
Someone once said: “A fool and his money will part.’ Another wise soul thought about that saying and replied, “The issue is not that a fool and his money will part. The issues is where and how did that fool get money?”
Today, There are still those that fall for the get-rich-quick-schemes. Like those that rushed to the gold fields in history past, so too, there are those that rush head first into deals that leave them wondering what they will do for survival now that they wasted their money.
The problem with obtaining wealth and treasure is the evil that associates with it. Wherever you find gold, you will find evil lurking there as well. The reason most folks failed to recognize the lurking evil for what it is, is because they have their eyes on the gold and their minds are set on what they can do and buy. Lust and power dominate their being.
It is easy to imagine that wealth will make you the person you aspire to be. For those that think as such, they make gold their god. If you are foolish and poor, do not deceive self into thinking that should your life take a turn, as did Cinderella’s, that you are going to suddenly be rich and live happily ever after. You will be just as much the fool with your wealth as you were in your poverty.
Money does not make us a better person. It is God that makes the man, not the gold. Money is just money. It is a tool that can be used for good or evil. What money does is it gives us that which we lone to possess and that is power and influence. The sad truth is once the money is gone, so is our power and influence. Hence, our second state is worse than our first, Mat 12:45.
The greatest wealth we posses is in what we can give, not what we can get. These treasures in (y)our heart and in (y)our hands are worth far more in God’s eyes than the rich man’s gold.
Because man has the potential to do either good or evil with the treasure in his heart is why we need to understand God does not want our riches. He wants that one thing He gave unto us at our conception and that is our free will. He wants our heart! Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy (Go to God and buy some gold from Him. If gold is the medium of exchange here on earth, what are you going to use to buy pure gold already tried in the fire from God?) of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; (If you already have gold or other great riches in your hand, and yet God says you are poor, what are you going to use to purchase purer gold from God than that that you already have?) and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Our heart is the only viable commodity we have.
A. From Its Abundance.
Have you read or saw a presentation of the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? It is quite an amazing story. Once Hollywood found out there was a dollar to be made from it, some of their versions of the tale took away much of the deeper thoughts to glean from it. There is more to the story “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” than a superficial reading renders. (Stevenson, Robert Louis (1850–1894). The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. 1886.).
The Apostle Paul went into more detail in Rom. 7:15-25, in a much shorter time and space, than did Mr. Stevenson in revealing the evil a man is capable of doing. The great Apostle Paul went down to the ‘heart of the matter.’
1. The heart of the matter.
When it comes to being a faithful follower and good steward of the things of God, have you considered what the heart of the matter is that prevents us from serving the Lord as we should?
Before we consider the heart of the matter, let us first define the heart and matter. Once we do, we will know what the matter is.
Webster defines matter as:
1. That which makes up the substance of anything; material.
2. That which occupies space, is reciprocally convertible with energy, and from which all physical objects are made.
3. A specific substance; inorganic matter,
4. Importance;
5. That which is actually stated or written, as contrasted with style or form.
6. A subject or thing.
The laws of science teach that our bodies are matter.
There is also something called grey matter. It is commonly referred to as a brain wherein lies common sense or wisdom.
QUOTABLE:
“It’s only mind over matter; and if you don’t mind, it don’t matter. The problem with that statement is God minds and it does matter.
The heart is that muscle that beats in our chest that pumps the life blood, Lev 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood:… through this body of flesh (matter)?
Heart can also mean feeling, as compassion, earnest desire, or deep emotion, regarded as emanating from the heart. Love and affection are also used to define the word heart.
The word matter appears 80 times in scripture and is used to refers to an issue, problem, topic, etc.
1. Deut 17:8 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;
2. Deut 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
3. Ruth 3:18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
4. 1 Sam 10:16 And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.
The word heart appears 830 times in scripture. Over and over it refers to a man’s thoughts, imaginations, desire, will, spirit, etc.
1. Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
2. Mat 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
3. Mark 6:52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
4. Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Though we are not referred to as physical matter in the bible, we are referred to as substance, Gen 7:4, Deut 33:11, Job 30:22 Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance. Psa. 139:15, 16, and since serving the Lord matters, i. e. service, stewardship, faithful servant, etc. what is the state of the heart within these matter(s) of stewardship?
Are we doing those things that we ought to be doing or do we find that when we should be doing good, something prevents us from accomplishing our goal? Is there a constant conflict within your being as it is in mine? The Apostle Paul said there was a battle in his life, But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to law of sin which is in my members, Rom. 7:23.
What was that law in Paul’s members wherein he referred? Is it the same conflict raging with you and I? We are of the same lineage, Adam and Eve, as was Paul, so the same law causes tumult in us as well. That law unto which he referred is the law of sin.
Our problem, as Christians in relations to being a faithful follower, is we have two natures that contradict each other. Our flesh is continually battling our wills. Paul said that when I want to serve the Lord, I find then a law, is standing in my way. That restraining law is much like gravity in that when I want to fly, I find the law of gravity prevents me. (Dr. Jekyll found that the lure of the potion was too strong for him. He could not control Mr. Hyde.)
This law that prevents us from serving the Lord is not one of the Ten Commandment fiat. It is like the law of physics that operates automatically. Evil is present with me. (In the tale told by Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hyde came out at night after Dr. Jekyll had drunk the potion.) The present evil of which Paul spoke was not in his heart and mind nor was it in a bottle. It was bottled up in his flesh and in the members of our bodies. This present evil acts in conjunction with our free will and when we get right down to the heart of the matter, it is our free will acting in conjunction with the lust of the flesh that prevents us from serving the Lord.
The dilemma we face everyday is the fight with our old nature. That old nature rises up in me and brings me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Once my old flesh takes control, the law of the Spirit and life, Rom 8:2, is no longer the dominating power in my life. I become a servant to the law of sin and death. Those two laws operate in the heart, mind, life, and will and they do so in every born again child of God as well.
The law of God, Rom. 7:22-23, says there is the law of sin that operates inside the child of God that brings forth physical death. It will also bring forth the end of a good Christian testimony prior to death.
Once we get down into the heart of the matter, we find that our biggest obstacle to being a faithful follower and good stewards of the things pertaining unto the Lord is self. We think more of self and appeasing this ole body of flesh than we do in serving the Lord.
2. Heart problems.
The big issue is we have heart problems. Problems with the heart leads to death both physically and spiritually. Some folks became so sick spiritually that regardless of the condition of the heart beating in their breast, they died anyway. To state is simply, the sinned themselves to death. While others feed their flesh so much junk food that they die due to a bad physical heart.
Depending on where one looks, they can find the number one killer of mankind being anything from cancer to heart disease. I found the following information at this web site:
http://www.heart-disease-bypass-surgery.com/data/footnotes/f5.htm
“Some 7 million Americans suffer from coronary heart disease (CHD), the most common form of heart disease. This type of heart disease is caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart. “CHD is the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S. Each year, more than 500,000 Americans die of heart attacks caused by CHD.” The above is true! The actual number of deaths comes much closer to 1,000,000 when you include heart disease, stroke and the related problems.
In UK Cancer is now the biggest killer of British men, overtaking heart disease for the first time, latest figures show. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/health/3019801.stm
It is ironic that cancer is reported to be the number one killer in Great Britain. What this might mean from a spiritual perspective is they went from having a heart problem to a cancer that is eating away at the very foundation of their being. Such is what the Lord told the nation of Israel, that if their heart turned from Him they would be destroyed, Deut. 28.
3. Comes our service.
Our heart, not the one beating in our chest, is the drive of our service. Recall that we stated that the problems a man has with being a faithful follower or bringing forth fruit could be found in the parable of the sower; that this parable probably was the greatest of all those spoken by our Lord. Ever wonder why the Holy Spirit inspired Matthew, Mark, and Luke to record this same parable three times, Mat. 3, Mark 4, Luke 8? The same sower, sowed the same word to everyone. However, the heart wherein it fell produced differing amounts.
B. Evil Continually, Psa. 52:1-7.
From the time a soul begins to know right from wrong, evil thoughts and imaginations continually flow from the heart. If left unchecked, these evils will lead a soul to damnation. If left unchecked as was stated previous, these evils will prevent a saved soul from bringing forth the good treasure from their heart.
1. First step.
There is a pattern that a soul follows in its downward progression into transgression and degradation. These steps are farther along in our lives than that of reaching the age of accountability. No one just decides one day to become an outcast headed for hell. Their final destination becomes more set each time they make the wrong decision and follow through into whatever sin that temptation entrapped them. These steps are revealed in the bible in various situations so that the soul of man can avoid the many traps along their journey through time.
The first step is found in our evil imagination. Gen 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
From dawn to dusk and into the burning of the midnight oil, in the days of Noah men were evil
continually. Things have not changed since then.
2. Second stage.
The second stage in the path of utter destruction derives from the evil imaginations. Even though the mind of man maybe satisfied with evil thoughts, the flesh is not. It will be just a matter of time before man begins to act out what he imagines, Gen 8:21. This was why God inspired Moses to write there was great wickedness upon the face of the earth.
3. Third and final stage.
Because there is nothing that will satisfy the flesh and mind of man like the God ordained relation between Creator and creature, man continues to pursue his evil thoughts and action so much so that in time he reaches a point to where his heart is hardened. This was true in the days of Noah, for he preached 120 years and never had the first convert, Gen 6:3, 2 Pet 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
This last stage of man is one wherein his conscience is as though it was seared with a hot iron, 1 Tim 4:2, and he out lives his opportunity to be saved. There is no feelings of remorse in his heart and mind.
Is it any wonder that Solomon said that foolishness was bound in the heart of a child, but the rod would drive it from him.
4. Hard hearted.
Some folks think the Lord hardens a heart and to prove their thinking they use Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as the classic example. Superficially, such sounds logical when we read: Exo 4:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: (Note that God placed opportunities [treasures] in the hand of Moses and firmly instructed him to see to it that he did ALL those wonders before Pharaoh. This leads us to believe that God already revealed to Moses the miracles He would perform through him.) but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. It sounds as if God was the one hardening the heart of Pharaoh.
The Lord did not say ‘I will make the heart of Pharaoh hard.’ To imply such would mean that the heart of Pharaoh was soft and God intended to make Pharaoh evil so that He could bring about His good will. Such is similar to the doctrine of Calvinism. Rather, the truth of this situation is the heart of Pharaoh is an example of the Lord working with what is already there.
Before we were told that the Lord would hardened the heart of Pharaoh we were told that Pharaoh knew not Joseph, Ex. 1:8. The heart of this king was not attuned to what God had wrought via the man Joseph.
God knew the heart of Pharaoh, Ex. 3:19. Therefore, God only worked with what was already there. Before Pharaoh’s heart could be hardened by the Lord, it was already hard by the man himself. We know this is true for we were told that Pharaoh hardened his heart, Ex. 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. Much can be learned about a man hardening his heart by pondering the parable of the sower and seed falling into field of their heart.
The second proof of God moving upon what is in a man’s heart is found in Romans chapters one and two, especially vs. 1:24, 28. Verse 26 states For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: There comes a time in the life of person whose heart is set on sin that God ceases to deal with them. Once the Holy Ghost ceases to woo them unto repentance, that soul will not be saved.
5. Why push our blessing aside?
Knowing that some folks refuse to repent and choose rather to die and go to hell, we call such a one a fool. However, there are many blood bought born again children of God who know they ought to repent of some besetting sins that hinders their walk.
Others know they are not being good stewards with their time, talent, and treasure and yet they continue to thwart the will of God in their lives as well. Why push these eternal blessings aside?
III. GIVING OF OUR FINANCIAL TREASURES.
The third treasure entrusted unto us is that of our finances. Yes, God wants us to give of our money as well as our ability. Again, let it be stated that God does not want or need our money, Psa. 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: What He wants is our heart. If we will give Him our heart, He will have all of us. That is why it is so necessary for us to drive foolishness out of our lives while we are young, else it will attempt to dominate our being in every stage and phase of our lives, often rendering us inefficient and ineffective for the cause of Christ.
A. It All Belongs to the Lord, Psa. 50:10-13.
Though we think of self as independent, in actuality, we own nothing save our free will and even that was given to us.
Rom 12:19…Vengeance is mine…
What is the sum total of our being? Servants of the most high God.
B. You Will Leave it All; Go Ahead Give Some of it.
1. Your works await you.
God is keeping a very accurate record of lives. Our tears, prayers, and all that we did for Him is written in His books.
2. Your works will follow you.
The testimony we leave behind will speak unto the many generations that follow. This is the Godly heritage given to us. If we were not given one, it is high time that we create one. The funds we contribute to the local church and to missionaries will continue to reap interest long after we have returned to the dust.
IV. WELL DONE! OR WELL, NOW LET ME SEE…?
The Lord loves a cheerful giver. One of these day you will hear Him say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” or the Lord of creation will look at us with somewhat of a scowl and say, “Well, now! Let me see what we have here…”
A. The Department of the Treasury.
When we think of someone holding the position of treasure, the first thing we usually think is, this is the person that guards the money or the treasure is the person that keeps the financial records. Along those same concepts somewhere in there we think of Judas, for he was also a treasure, somewhat greedy, a traitor, and a thief, John 12:6. Thus, our idea of a treasure is: one that guards the money, while adjusting the financial records to cover their devious methods of embezzling, and would sale their own mother to make fast money.
If Judas does not enter our thoughts, than perhaps some images of the greedy corporate gods we have read about in the paper floods our minds. Now, it might not be right to be prejudice in our thinking, but there is some justification to this, for the bible tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil. Furthermore, we usually “hang around” with things and people we love!
In the day of Nehemiah, when he was building the temple and the walls of Jerusalem, he needed some financial support for this massive building project. He did not have the time to guard the money, build the walls, and deal with the opposition. To better enable him to do the work, he established a treasury department. Over those funds, he set faithful men to take care of the money while he took care of the other items. He could not do it all. Today, one man [pastor] cannot do it all.
What was the reputation and testimony of the men Nehemiah set over the money? Was their character anything like that of what we picture a treasure to be? What were the job responsibilities of these men? Was it their job to guard the treasure? No! Their job was to distribute the money unto their brethren. These men were nothing more than servants Neh. 13:13! Faithful servants.
The context of the passage in Nehemiah has to do with taking care of the Levities, and we would also presume the priests, with tithes and offerings. Verse ten reveals that the Levities were having to work in the fields to have something to eat. The Law of Moses stated that the Levities, and especially the priests, were to take care of the house of God and the nation was to take care of them.
Now consider what you think of someone who hold the position of treasure, be it over the local church body, the local Boy Scouts club, or chief financial officer over the local bank in your town and compare them to your position as treasure over the treasury entrusted unto you by the Lord.
Had you not considered that you were a treasure over the items entrusted unto you? What was your idea of a treasure? In your present position, do you have more in common with Judas, some CEO that was indicted in some stock scandal, or did you honestly find that you were faithful as the men working with Nehemiah? If you have found yourself as faithful as the men Nehemiah set as treasurer of the treasury, then you are faithfully giving from your abundance to the local church body so that the pastor and the work whereunto he is called is not hindered due to a lack of finances. Having said such, consider:
1. What do you treasure, Rom 2:5?
A good name? Wrath against the day of wrath?
2. Where is your treasure, Luke 12:34?
In the things of God?
3. Which treasure are you dispensing?
Your time? Your talent? Your ability to serve? Your opportunity to serve? 1 Cor 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
B. Where Are You Investing?
Are you investing in the future or are you trying to horde up all you can and save it for a rainy day for the pleasure of the flesh that only last while you squander about here under the sun? We cannot take our bank accounts with us. We can send funds on ahead by investing our time, our talent, and our treasures in the things of God. Hag 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
QUOTABLE
Once upon a time, there was a very rich man that truly loved the Lord more than he did his money. This man had one vanity that plagued him and that was he always wanted to do something that no one else had done.
After many years of faithfully following the Lord, he became ill and knew that death awaited him. He earnestly pleaded with the Lord to allow him to do one thing that no one else had done and that was: bring something into heaven. The Lord considered is request and told him he could bring one trunk.
Sure enough in the fullness of time he died and true to His word, the Lord allowed him to bring one trunk. On the day of his arrival, St. Peter is at his usual position at the Pearly Gates checking the records and keeping count of those that enter. Looking down a long and winding path, he sees this rich man tugging the trunk along behind him. Many folks are slowly following the man dragging the trunk.
Arriving at the Gates, St. Peter looks at the man and said, “You can not bring that trunk in here. No one brings anything into heaven. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. No trunks allowed!”
The rich man assured St. Peter that he has permission to bring the trunk. Of course, this irritated St. Peter as he was in charge and to think that someone could undermine him was disconcerting to say the least.
“Give me a minute,” said St. Peter with a tinge of irritation, and off he went to check with someone with more authority.
Coming back in a huff, he told the man, “OK Pal! Open the trunk! Let me see what you have there! You are holding up the line! Open the trunk!”
With great pride, knowing that he was the only man to bring something into heaven, the rich man opened the trunk. Peering into the trunk, St. Peter looked at the guy and said, “Get that pavement out here! We have more than enough gold!
The moral of this little story is the thing that we treasure the most down here, gold, is what God used to pave the street(s) of heaven. Knowing that God paved the street(s) of heaven with it, why should we not trust Him to be able to care for our needs here? We trusted Him with the eternal destiny of our soul, and yet we hesitate to trust Him to meet our needs.
CONCLUSION:
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Stewardship is managing our time, talent, and treasure so that our lives are a reflection of the grace and mercy of God to a lost and dying world. May each of use our time wisely. May our talent exhort others. May our treasures be something more that money in the bank.
