“What God Wants”
By
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
OPENING: - I am sure you have seen TBN and the Word Network all the popular televangelists who preach to millions of people around the world. You see how they are living a lifestyle few could imagine. They drive fancy cars and live inside lavish mansions, fly in some of the best private jets money can buy. Then they always get on T.V. and say stuff like God told me to tell you that if you sow a $1000 dollar seed that he will double your return, that he will heal your body and make all your dreams come true and if you don’t seed that $1000 dollars than all your dreams will fail. They will say things like if you just sow $500 dollars, I will send you this miracle oil or this miracle cloth and it will change your life. If you want God to truly bless you then you need to sow right now, step out on faith, and write that $1000 dollar check or if you really need a right now break through sow a $5000 dollar seed offering and God will break every financial shackle, every addiction, every curse in your life, that is bunch hogwash to put it nicely. Listen, never has and never will this kind of lying damnable talk ever draw one person to Jesus - not one person ever.
Let me say this loud and clear there has never been nor will there ever be a person that is drawn to Jesus Christ, who has been delivered, saved, set free, redeemed or any other spiritual attribute sowing a monetary amount into some televangelist campaigning and soliciting for money. Neither are they drawn to Jesus Christ by the luxurious lifestyle, the religious dress, the titles, positions, or ecclesiastical hierarchy of church structure. They are not drawn to Jesus Christ because some Televangelist got a so-called word from God telling them to write that astronomical check. What people are drawn to by these so-called preachers, evangelist, prophets, charlatans, and heretics is the hope and desire of wealth, prosperity, and a luxurious lifestyle.
Yes, the Bible says in Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again”. 2 Corinthians 9:6 says, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully”. Acts 20:35 says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.
Let me stop here and take a side bar and explain Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again”.
This is true and has been tested when it comes to generosity with material resources. Simply said, you can’t beat God giving no matter how you try. God will return more to you, in one way or another, more than you give to Him. The context of this scripture is not talking about money, but with the giving of love, mercy, and forgiveness. Yet there are those that manipulate this to mean a seed of sowing money. They will use this along with 30, 60, and 100-fold and say see God will increase your bank account if you just give.
Shall men give into your bosom: This is not about giving you money. Understand the people wore long loose robes down to the feet, and round the waist a girdle. The robe could be pulled up so that the bosom of the robe above the girdle formed a kind of oversized pocket in which things could be carried. Food and other needs. So men giving into your bosom is having a place to carry what they give you not money.
For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again: This is the principle upon which Jesus built the command, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” God will measure unto us according to the same measure we use for others. This is a powerful motivation for us to be generous with love, mercy, forgiveness, and goodness toward others. If we want more of those things from God, we should give more of them to others.
The false teachings of so many terrible televangelists, pathetic prophets, and misleading ministers who twist and manipulate scripture to line their pockets and sustain a luxurious way of living have manipulated these scriptures and made it seem as though there is a monetary demand from God that these things must first be accomplished for God to do what God desires to do in your life.
Today I want to reach the very heart of God and teach on what God desires from us.
Prayer: -
Scripture: - Micah 6:8 “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God”. Matthew 9:13 “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”.
Living the Christian life is so much more than what you do, it literally has nothing to do with the amount of money you sow, how many religious books you buy, which ministries you support it’s more than reading the bible, praying, and going to church because these are on the outside and that is what man looks at but God looks at the heart. So therefore, it is way more about who you are, how you live, and knowing God and what He desires of you.
Background: - In Micah we understand that this was a turbulent time in Israel’s history. The Assyrians had risen against Israel and Judah. Micah was a prophet to the Southern Kingdom during the time in which they were held in captivity by the Assyrian king, Sargon II, around 730 to 700 BC. During this time King Hezekiah worked to bring revival to Judah although Assyria loomed at the door. Hezekiah was somewhat successful in his attempts to bring revival, but it was mostly superficial. God used Isaiah, Micah, and Hezekiah to keep Judah from judgment. While the Northern Kingdom’s sins were transparent, the Southern Kingdom’s sins were hidden behind religious observances and rituals. Everything looked wonderful and proper on the outside, but Micah knew that their hearts were far from God. He saw past their adherence of the external things of the law and addressed the root of their sins – their hearts.
In chapter six, Micah makes a proclamation from God concerning His people, Israel. He asks them what He has done unto them and calls for them to respond. He reminds them of His faithfulness to them, protecting them from harm from such people as Balak and Balaam.
Verses 6-7 says, “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul”. There is some debate on this as to is this Israel’s response or Balaam’s. Either way these verses are full of self-righteousness and arrogance. These verses portray that God requires stuff, that He requires monetary sowing or retribution in order to come to Him. This is how many of these charlatans make you feel that God requires you to give money, money, and more money. Like this is God’s prerequisite.
Then in verse 8, Micah responds giving a direct answer to their questions. He addresses the issues in which they are seemingly so ignorant and foolish to perceive as truths, that some kind of external ritual or sacrifice is good enough to satisfy God. Micah states that God has already shown them what He expects of them, and that they should not have asked the question in the first place. We can learn from this when you hear these charlatans, heretics, false prophets say God told me to tell you to sow. Verse 8 “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God”.
God says What I require of you isn’t complicated. Simply do three things.
To do justly: The first thing God desires of His people, is that they do justly (justice). Not merely appreciate justice, not simply agree that justice is good, but we are to do justice. Our actions reflect our beliefs. God wants His people to reflect His character; He is a just God and so His people are to bring about justice in their communities. We are to seek out and support the broken, liberate the oppressed, and deliver the downtrodden. We are to act in a just and fair way towards others. Treat people as you would want to be treated. When you see them hungry give them something to eat, when they are thirsty give them something to drink, when they are naked clothe them because what you do unto the least of them you do also unto me. That is to do justly.
Love mercy: Don’t just show mercy but love to show it. Give others the same measure of mercy you want to receive from Me. Be a cheerful giver, not begrudgingly. There is a tiktok or reelz clip where this lady is sitting on the ground begging, and she holds her hand out to this man in a nice suit carrying a brief case and talking on his phone. The man looks at her gives her a look of disgust turns away from her and continues to talk on the phone while he waits for the bus. Another guy that is dressed in a hoodie, looks like a criminal or thug pickpockets the man while he is on the phone and drops the wallet on the ground. He taps the man on the shoulder and bends down and picks up the wallet and gives it to the man in the suit. The man pulls out a $50 bill and gives it to the guy in the hoodie, who walks over and gives it to the lady that is begging. I am not saying that is right how he went about it, but if that man would have just loved mercy and gave to the woman in need in the first place. If the tables were turned and the man would have been begging and the woman would have had the nice dress, briefcase, and been on the phone the man would want her to have mercy on him. Give others the same measure of mercy you want to receive from Me – God!
To Walk Humbly With Thy God:- Finally, God desires His people to walk humbly with Him. There is a certain pride that can sneak into the Christian life; a pride that we follow God, and thus we must be very important people. Or so our egos tell us. Micah reminds us that God is in heaven, and we are on Earth. We do not live and exist solely for our own glory but rather we live to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We need to humbly understand that we are not the center of the universe, regardless of title, position, religious hierarchical structure, or ecclesiastical dress but we have the tremendous responsibility and opportunity to share about the One who is the center of everything.
God’s desire for us is not a mystery nor hidden secret, it’s not money, money, money, but simply and plainly explained in Micah 6:8. We are people who should do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God. By focusing on the basics, we see the principles that will enable us to live faithful and fruitful lives for God and to be able to fully develop the following characteristics.
When we do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly we will develop these 9 Characteristics. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance against such there is no law”.
Love: - This is not eros which is the love you have for your spouse not Philo which is brotherly love. This is agape love the unselfish concern for others and charity. This love is the power and desire that moves us to respond to a person’s needs without expectation of reward, acknowledgement, or praise.
Joy: - This is not happiness because happiness is determined by outside circumstances, but Joy is an inward feeling and exuberance despite what outside circumstances happen. This joy is a desire that is pleased and excited to do what thus says the Lord.
Peace: - The Biblical concept of peace, is inclusive of life without conflict, as well as wholeness and harmony with God and others. A life of peace is safe and secure both physically and mentally. Peace results from allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and minds. When we have peace, we are free from fear and worry about finances, our safety, our salvation, and our eternal life. This peace passeth all understanding because we have peace even when our circumstances are far from peaceful. John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”.
Longsuffering / Patience: - The more we grow in patience the more we are like Christ. Patience / Longsuffering is you don’t overreact or blow off the handle at every little thing. The Bible says in Luke 21:19 “In your patience possess ye your souls”.
Patience has three qualities itself.
1. It will not let you give into negative circumstances. Abraham was promised to have an heir and become a great nation and although he had to wait 25 years God was true to His word and Abraham received the promise because he never gave up.
2. Not only is it the ability to stick with something but to be able to handle what is coming at you. Job said in Job 19:25-26 “For I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God”. Job 13:25 says “Yet will I trust him”. This patience is having an attitude and mindset that regardless I am going to see what the end is going to be.
3. The third idea of the word patience is an attitude to accept God’s plan for everything. When we put on humility it produces gentleness and when we live in this manner it produces patience. These are the most powerful testimony the church of Christ has.
Gentleness: - This is an attitude of meekness and mildness in contrast to dealing with others harshly. This is a willing submission to God and others without rebellion and pride. Gentleness is power under control. It doesn’t retaliate or react or seek vengeance for anything. Our culture does not appreciate gentleness, they consider it weak. They feel as though if you want to get your way, you must be loud, brash, and forceful. But the ways of God are different than the ways of the world. Gentleness produces Goodness.
Goodness: - means much more than simply being a good person. Rather, it means actively seeking to do good to other people. Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
God is exceedingly abundantly and overwhelmingly good. He constantly does good to us, and His goodness and mercy actively pursue us. We can’t escape the goodness of God! He loves us so much and He can’t help doing good to us. That’s why we say when I think of the goodness of Jesus and all He has done for me my soul cries out hallelujah praise God for saving me.
We must strive to be like Jesus and always seek to do good to others. We should seek to bless others, care for them, and bring good things into their lives. We should be generous with our possessions and give freely to others. Just as God pours out good things into our life’s day after day, so we should ask the Holy Ghost to help us pour out good things into the lives of others.
The Bible says that it is more blessed to give than to receive. When the Holy Spirit produces goodness in us and we give to others, we experience blessing. This has nothing to do with sowing a seed of a thousand dollars.
Faith / Faithfulness: - this is the 7th fruit or characteristic that is produced when we do justly, love mercy and walk humbly. 7 is God’s number of perfection. God is faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is always near to us, even when we are brokenhearted. When we stray, He guides us back. When we struggle, He lifts us up. When we are weary, He strengthens us.
God is faithful, so we too must be faithful. First, we must be faithful to God, His Word and what He has for us to do. Yes, there will be times when it’s difficult when life is hard and circumstances rise where we must travel through the barren land. In those times, we must be faithful to God, hold onto His unchanging hand, be steadfast and unmovable that is being faithful and having faith that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we may ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. We must also be faithful toward others. When a people are struggling, we must faithfully care for them, encourage them, and point them to Jesus. We must help them see that God is there for them He loves them and will never forsake them. Faith/Faithfulness produces meekness.
Meekness: - is a fruit of the Spirit / characteristic that is very much lost in our aggressive, self-centered culture. Because people associate it with weakness. Meekness is so important that it is the third characteristic Jesus mentions in His foundational teaching, the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:5 says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”. The meek are among those so favored that they will share in Jesus' inheritance of the earth.
Some have tried to use "humility" as its equivalent, but both Hebrew and Greek have specific words that are synonyms for humility. Besides, humility does not fully catch its meaning. Another word associated with meekness is "gentleness," but the same is as true for gentleness as humility. Both are part of meekness, but it is not really either. Its characteristics and use are much more involved than either of them. Meekness is the ability to demonstrate self-restraint through longsuffering, gentleness, and humility. It includes a willful choice to be submissive to another’s authority.
When we are obeying the Bible and not the precepts of men. When we are walking humbly before God do not possess an air of self-righteousness, do not act like we are all that, that because of a title, position, or economic success but walk humbly before God and our hearts are humble this humbleness will produce meekness.
Temperance / Self-Control: - To have temperance means to be in control of one’s thoughts and actions. It’s the ability to say, “Yes,” to things that are good and, “No,” to things that are wrong. It involves moderation, constraint, and the ability to say “no” to our basic desires and fleshly lusts.
We must possess temperance in every area of our lives, including the things we say, what we watch on television, what we think about, how much we eat, and many other areas. Temperance is our mechanism of defense against the outside sinful world and the desires of the flesh.
Even though temperance can be difficult, when we rely on the Holy Spirit, He can help us grow in Temperance.
CLOSING: - So, what does God want of us to do justly. Not merely appreciate justice, not simply agree that justice is good, but we are to do justice. We are to seek out and support the broken, liberate the oppressed, and deliver the downtrodden. We must be fair we must make sure we treat others justly. And where we have control or influence, we try to help rectify situations where justice and fairness are being compromised.
We must Love mercy: Don’t just show mercy but love to show it. Give others the same measure of mercy you want to receive from Me. Be a cheerful giver, not begrudgingly.
We must Walk Humbly With Thy God:- We need to humbly understand that we are not the center of the universe, regardless of title, position, religious hierarchical structure, or ecclesiastical dress but we have the tremendous responsibility and opportunity to share about the One who is that center. Walking humbly means seeing our place in the Kingdom as one part of a greater body. We are each important parts of that body, but none of us is the most important piece.
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
