What Jesus Said About "Things" (Part 2)

I struggle with THINGS. Things are not by nature bad. But they do divert my attention. I lose sight of the true goal. Do you get distracted, too?

These next few subjects are not to cause stress, depression, or guilt. They should cause an increased awareness of what things can do.

The all-wise Jesus said You Can't Do Both.

The Greek word “choice”, of Matthew 6:24, awes. Jesus states fact, reasons it, and re-states it. The original word affirms humans are not qualified to do both. We do not have the ability, concentration level, or favorable circumstance to do both.

We are qualified to serve either riches or God alone, but not both simultaneously.

Furthermore, “riches” is personified. So, “riches” stand in opposition to God.

The discussion and decision of the rich young man illustrates Jesus' basic tenant of man's inability to do both. (The story is in Matthew 19:16-22 or Mark 10:17-22)

What was the one impediment to his ideal? Was it his things (riches)? Did Jesus know he incapable of successfully doing both and direct him to discard one? Why was the young man sorrowful, or sad?

Which will we choose? On Christmas morning, will our riches convict us of a lack of trust in God? What will our January credit card bill reflect? Will our choices leave us sad, sorrowful, disappointed, or unsatisfied?

Jesus demonstrates frugality.

After feeding 5000 men (Matthew 14:14-20, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:11-17, John6:1-13). Jesus told the disciples to collect the left-overs. Nothing was wasted. They collected 12 baskets. After feeding another 4000 people , again, they did not waste anything. They collected seven baskets of left-overs (Matthew 15:37, Mark 8:8).

Seen the commercial for Glad trash bags as two brothers anchor a news cast? They report on mom after she threw a plate full of food in the trash, and her irritation at the trash bag collapsing in the can. A plateful of food dumped in the trash? Would Jesus do this?

What is in it for us?

Peter reminded Jesus how the disciples had left everything. He asked, “What is in it for us?” (Matthew 19:27-29;Mark 10:28-30; Luke18:28-30)

Jesus gave a two-part answer. Most important, there will be eternal life. Secondly, in the here and now up to 100 times as much as they had left for Christ.

If “things” are of a lesser priority than God, will you not be able to count your blessings!

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Thanks for reading Part 2. Please leave comments below. Maybe you can increase our awareness even more.

And Part 3 addresses these topics:

• Using Things for Christ
• Financial contributions
• Rich going to heaven?
• Automatic rejection for being rich?
• Lawsuits for possessions
• Rewards for helping
• Spending money on haters
• Successful business

If you have not read Part 1 of this series, please click here to read about:

• Things and Temptation
• Leaving your Tools
• Daily Food Dependence
• Treasure placement.

What Jesus Said About "Things" (Part 3)

Thank you for being a kind, persistent reader.

Part 3 of What Jesus Said About “Things” is much simpler. But with simplicity comes reader participation. Please click on the links to read the passage or open your own Bible. Then consider the question.

What did Jesus teach about using “things” for Him? Mark 14:3-9 has the story of a woman anointing Jesus with a very expensive perfume. Did he approve?

What does Jesus say about financial contributions?

Read the story of the woman giving her last 2 copper coins while others gave by the bagful (Mark 12:41-44). What did He think?

Can the rich get to heaven? Is it possible? What about the camel and the eye of a sewing needle?

Jesus says it is possible with God, but not by man's feeble abilities. (Mark 10:23-27)

Are the rich automatically rejected, or have they received all they are going to get? His answer is in Luke 6:24.

What does Jesus say about worrying over necessities? He said worry is ineffective, so don't! (LINKS TO Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-31)

If you are sued for a possession, what should you do? Check out His statement in Luke 6:29.

If you help others, what is your reward? His answer is Luke 6:38.

How much did the despised Samaritan spend on a usually-hateful Jew in the Good Samaritan story? Look for two answers in Luke10:29-37.

If your business has enjoyed a very successful year, what should be your response? Jesus addresses the concern in Luke 12:12-21.

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What did Jesus think about "Things" in Part 1? Part 2?

Thank for reading.

Another Pine Box

Maybe I am beginning to grasp the grief Jesus felt. Maybe.

The charter plane landed. Me and 25 others, flags unfurled, formed a semi-circle of commendation to an already-aching family. The door opened. A lieutenant and a Sargent came down a short ladder. Immediately, a color guard made another pine box stable.

Cringing, the family crossed the runway. Assistance was given the thin, fragile grandmotherly woman. Some made strides to the casket. Others, distressed, had no longing to draw near, having been schooled in grief.

I am acquainted with a family member. She is inconsiderate, oblivious, and a throw-everything-to-the-wind soul. The family towed her to the pine box. Grief took charge. The wails were prolonged, perpetual, and, piercing.

The chaplain prayed. More tears and additional mourning flowed. A family member prayed. “Lord,” he said, “You tell us this is to be a happy day. All I am praying for is the strength to endure this adversity.”

The family turns to leave. The one I know is drug away. She struggled with them, loudly wailing. Family members restrained her.

I remembered Paul's words to the Thessalonians. “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorry as others who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). He was preparing believers for the inevitable pain.

Jesus knew the pain. He cared. “Now as he drew near, He saw the city and wept over it...” (Luke 19:41). John records Jesus' emotions when He visited Mary and Martha, Lazarus' family. “Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.”  (John13:33). Later John added, “Jesus wept.” (John 13:35).

Today, I think I suffered a sadness like Jesus did.

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Have you had a similar experience? Would you share it in the comment section?

Pity the Poor

Financially, I felt like a June bug hitting a car glass at 60 mph---not much left. Three of us attending college, four others at home, and only my wife's salary.

I was blessed to preach Sunday's, and teach a Wednesday night class, at Aldridge Road in Percy, Arkansas.

One Sunday night, after locking up the building, I plopped into my high-mileage Chevy S-10 pickup for the tiring, 78-miles home. What is this? A brown paper sack of groceries? The unsigned note spoke of someone thinking I could use them. They were right!

The next time the church met I thanked the mystery person(s).

About six weeks later, I found $50 extra dollars for my electric bill. Again, I thanked the congregation for the generous, anonymous soul(s).

I suspected a few members, but none ever suffered financially.

So, Proverbs 19:17 is true. "He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given." Someone at Aldridge Road had pity on this poor man. And God made sure no one suffered.

Matthew 6:3-4, "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."

Shortly, we will enter the season of giving. I challenge you to test God. Find one person or family in financial distress. Give them something useful without them knowing you helped. Then, watch God give you something as repayment. If He keeps His word, what worry do you have?

Triumphant Entry

Many of the famous Bible stories can be reviewed with few words. They still refresh us and our faith, plus remind us of how much we are loved.

Here is a short version.

A never-ridden colt

"The Lord needs it."

Garments on road

Branches in road

Hosanna in the highest

BLESSED IS THE KING

"Rebuke your disciples"

"Stones will cry out"

Wept over city

"If you only knew"

Enemies surround

Not one stone on another

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How many details did you remember? Check yourself. Read the complete story. Click all four links below.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Why Bad to Worse

Ever experience someone who could not stop being bad? People reason with them, but they will not listen. Nothing works.

Why will they not change? Today, I grasped an answer.

It is in Proverbs 17:4. "An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue."

Evil people do not follow watchful, loving men or women who recognize the inevitable consequences and endeavor to provoke change.

Instead, self-destructing humans, bent on being bad, solely pay attention to others voicing agitation, discord, depression, and grief. Like zombies, blundering along, they follow the directives of the discontented driving to desecration and disaster. (Is this selective hearing?)

When do people become selective for evil? Where is the proverbial 'point of no return'?

What does God do with the selectively evil? Two answers are:

• Hebrews 10:26-27 "26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries."
• Romans 1:28-32 "28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."

Are you listening to God himself, solidly on good ground, gaining His grace, taking His advice, and struggling to imitate Him?

Polyurethane and Sin

This morning I needed to put a coat of polyurethane on a custom cabinet and a new door. Easy job, right?

Grabbed an old rag and wiped everything. Done. No problems. Pick up a stir stick. Open can. Stir gently. Done. No problem. Pour polyurethane into used margarine bowl. Take brush and apply a coat to everything. Clean the brush and bowl. Done. No problems.

Later, I was puzzling over why it was difficult to read. What is this? Teeny-winnie specs of polyurethane on my glasses? Dried, hardened, and tough to remove.

Is this how sin works?

We live near sin and sinful people. We can not evade. We get a little splatter here and a small dribble there. We do not bothered because it is so itsy-bitsy. We are ok, we think. But after duplicate experiences, we find a multilayer coating that is dried, hardened, and tough to remove.

The Point of this struggle?

1 Cor 15:33 says, "Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." If we are frequently around people who curse, we pick up the bad habit. If we sit with those telling crude jokes, we start telling them too. Do not talk with gossips.

Dabble with sin, and you will get it on you.